how it came to be this way

by pingu1997

Bella is beaten by Charlie. When her twin brothers come home and find out. Will bella be able to leave her old life behind, or will it come back and bite her? I know that the genre has changed, please dont flame me

1. chapter 1

Fanfiction

My name is Isabella Marie Swan, but you can call me Bella for short. I live with my farther in the small rainy town of Forks, where every day is like a living hell. I don't mean that Forks is like living in hell, well it is, but only because I live with my dad, Charlie. My mum left when I was seven years old and he blames me for her leaving. Of course this only started when my two brothers left. Emmett and Jasper are twins, and left for college about two years ago now. Emmett is studying to be a police officer and Jasper is training to be a doctor. I haven't seen them in about a year now, which I suppose is for the best. If they had come home then they would have seen the state I was in and would probably have a fit. You see Charlie beats me, in every sense of the word.

It only started of small, with Charlie getting drunk and calling me names, to then full out abuse. I don't look the same as I used to. Not by a long shot. When my brothers left I was fit, strong and healthy, my hair was a glossy brown and I was writing music every day, now I'm thin and weak and my hair is dull and brittle, and as for my music, I have had to lock up all of my equipment so that Charlie doesn't damage it or use it to hit me.

My name is Bella swan and this is the story of how my life ended.

"BELLA! GET DOWN HERE NOW!" oh crap. What time is it? Damn! I was meant to be downstairs five minuets ago! I quickly grab my shoes that are under my rocking chair and sprint down the stairs. As I round the corner into the kitchen I can see Charlie leaning against the counters, his face looking thoroughly annoyed.

"Why weren't you down here?" his voice was deadly calm, which is worse then if he had shouted at me.

"I …I was getting ready for school sir" I managed to stutter out. I had to call him sir when we were in the house. Not at home, this place hadn't been my home for a long time.

"No wonder your mother left, your always keeping me waiting" and with that he just stopped talking to me, but don't think that this is over. This is how Charlie likes to start his day. When he first did this it was to give me a false sense of security, and then the abuse would start.

Right on cue he turned around and slapped me across the face. Hard. I recoiled but didn't make a sound. It was always worse when I screamed or gave any indication that it hurt. Even though he knew full well how much it hurt.

"You better cover that up" he spat at me. He picked up his gun and walked out the front door, not looking back. Once I heard the cruiser pull out of the drive, I ran to the mirror on the wall in the living room. I could see the bruising coming out already. Another week of wearing hood's for me.

Over the last few days I had I badly sprained ankle, two broken or bruised ribs, I snapped wrist and bruises all over my body. All of this I had taped up the best I could. It hurt like hell, but living the life I live you learn not to show pain. I hadn't cried since I had learned it just made the beating worse. I forgot to mention that Charlie was the chief of police to the unsuspecting people of forks. That's why I can't tell anyone, no one would believe me if I did. Charlie was a cop, so that supposedly made him a good guy.

I ran back upstairs and pulled out one of my many black hoods. I quickly pulled it over my head and grabbed my school bag. I walked out of the door and locked it and started to walk to school. Another day of school. I had no friends, partly because I never mad any attempt to have any, partly because I always pushed away anyone that tried, and mainly because Charlie had always made sure that I was isolated from the beginning, so that I wouldn't be tempted to tell anyone. My only friends are Emmett and Jasper. And they couldn't help me. Now since I'm seventeen I have only have one year until I can leave home, but that won't happen. I doubt Charlie has any intention of letting me go so I can inform the authorities. I don't know how he plans of keeping me in forks, but I don't doubt that he will find a way.

School passed slowly, but not slow enough. As soon as school ends I have to run home and rush to get Charlie's dinner on the table before he gets home. It doesn't matter what I cook or how well it's done, I always get a beating.

As I run onto our drive I let out a sigh of relief that Charlie isn't home yet. Once I get in I check the time, I have an hour to get dinner on the table. I quick look in the fridge and cupboards tell me that I will need to go grocery shopping soon. But I have enough to last the next couple of days. I pull out the ingredients needed to make stir-fry.

Just as I was placing the plate down on the kitchen table Charlie walked through the front door.

Oh god, looks like he had a bad day, and guess who will be getting the blame?

"At least you managed to do something right for once" he said bitterly. He chucked his jacket onto the back of the chair and sat down in his chair to begin eating. He ate in silence, never making a sound apart from chewing his food. After he was finished he looked at me with an evil glint in his eye, and I knew that tonight was going to be worse than normal.

"Clean this up as it's the only thing that you're good for" he laughed. He then hauled himself up and walked over to the fridge and pulled out several cans of beer, then stomped over to the living room to start watching the T.V.

At least he didn't start right away, but he'll probably make up for that later. I picked up his plate and dumped it in the sink, then started to run the hot water to wash it clean. I took my time while doing this, hoping to delay what was sure to come. Once the sink was filled with hot, soapy water I pulled over the rest of the pots and pans that I used to make dinner. I've always washed up, even when mom was here, of course Emmett and Jasper never offered to do it. I never minded doing it before, but that was because I had the freedom to say that I didn't want to do it. Now I do it so I don't get beaten and also it reminds me of happier times.

Just as I was finishing drying the last of the dishes and putting them away, the phone rang, shrill against the quite of the kitchen.

"Are you going to get that or do I have to make you?" Charlie shouted from the living room. I put the plate down on the counter and jogged to the phone, pressing the green button to accept the call.

"Hello?" I said into the receiver.

"Bella! Hey little sis!" came the enthusiastic response from the other end. At that moment I thought I was going to cry for the first time in years.

"Emmett?" I don't think I could take it if it wasn't him.

"Yeah! And Jasper too. Say hey every one…." I heard several people call hi from the other end, but I picked up the calm voice of Jasper. The complete opposite of Emmett.

"Hey. It's been so long since I last spoke to you" I was very nearly in tears, but I held them back.

"We know, where sorry but it's just been hectic over here at the moment. But we have a surprise for you!" Emmett all but shouted down the phone.

"What is it?" I really hoped it wasn't something that would get them in trouble.

"Where coming down to visit! Me and Jasper have got some time off for a little while and we are coming down to stay!"

"Oh my god! When?" I haven't been this happy in a long time.

"We'll be down there tomorrow, just after five."

"So it's just you and jasper?" I hoped so.

"Well….." he trailed off.

"How many?" I don't think Charlie will be happy that they're coming home in the first place, let alone bring friends with them.

"Not many. I'm bringing my girl, Rose. Jasper's bringing his girl, Alice. And then Edwards coming down as well."

"Okay….." that didn't sound so bad. I was going to pay for it but it was worth it if I got to see my boys.

"Is that okay? I need to talk to dad but if it's too much then we can always book into a hotel."

"Don't be stupid. Its just going to be a bit cramped that's all." More like really cramped. The house was a reasonable size but it wasn't meant to hold a lot of people.

"Cool! Can you pass me over to dad?" oh no. this wont be good for me. Charlie hates being interrupted when watching T.V.

"Okay" I put the phone to my chest and take a deep breath. I will defiantly pay for this tonight. I walked quickly to the sofa and stood by the arm.

"Sir, Emmett's on the phone." And I held the phone out to him. He can't shout at me, for Emmett and everyone else would hear him. Charlie turned and glared at me, snatching the phone from my hand. I took that as my sign to leave.

Then the thought hit me. If Emmett and Jasper were going to be here then Charlie wouldn't be able to hit me. Yes! This would be the first time since they left that I would have a break from the beatings. And also Emmett said that they were going to be here for a while. Bonus! I then wiped my face of the smile that had formed in case Charlie happened to turn around and see it. I could hear Charlie talking in the other room, but from here it just sounded like grunting. He didn't sound happy though. After several minuets, after putting the rest of the dishes away, I heard Charlie call my name. Moving as quickly as I could on my ankle I walked into the room.

"Your brothers want to say good night to you" and he thrust the phone at me, his attention already back on the games showing on the T.V.

"Hey. So what did he say?" please say that he said that they could stay here. Please.

"We'll see you tomorrow. And we'll be staying about two weeks or so."

".. I can't wait" I said softly into the phone. My brothers were coming to save me, even if it were only for a short while.

"Hey, hey. Are you okay?"

"Yes! I can't believe that you're really coming home!" I laughed; I hadn't felt this giddy before.

"That's more of the reaction we were looking for." He sounded happier that he had got what he wanted.

"Is there anything you want me to do for when you get here?" I would do anything for them.

"Could you make your spaghetti bolognas?" he sounded so adorable when he was excited.

"Of course!"

"You are the best! We'll see you tomorrow!"

"Bye" I was sad that they had to go but knowing that I would see them in less than twenty- four hours made me feel better.

"See ya sis" I heard the rest of the people in the room shout there goodbyes and then the line went dead. And then the worst sound in the world went through the house. Charlie had turned the T.V off and was walking into the kitchen.

"Well, looks like I'll have to make up for the nights I'm going to miss" crap.

"I …. I ..." I never did get the sentence that I wanted to say because Charlie had me pinned to the wall, punching me in gut. Wow that hurt, I may have said that I hid my pain but I never said that it didn't hurt.

"Here are the new rules for when your brothers and there friends are here. You are to call me dad. Understand?" he growled in my ear. I nodded weakly.

"Good. You are also to not tell anyone or hint at it. You can't show anyone your injuries. Understand?" He was still punching me, the only difference is that I was now on the floor and he had also started to kick me. He still had his boots on.

"Yes" I gasped. It hurt to do that. I could taste blood in my mouth. Not a good sign at all.

"Good. Also this place is a tip. You can stay at home tomorrow to clean it up. I swear to god if there is any mess or blood left then you will get a lot worse than what you usually get." He spat on the ground next to where my head was laid. Then he walked to the stairs and made his way up.

I couldn't move. The pain was blinding. I don't know how long I lay there, but by the time I was able to think about getting up there was light coming through the windows. If I didn't get up soon and get breakfast ready for Charlie then I was going to get another beating and then I would never be able to get this house ready for guests, and that would make everything ten times worse. I dragged my self into a sitting position. That hurt like a bitch. Steeling my self against the pain I pushed my self up from my slumped position on the floor. It took everything in me not to cry out in pain. After I had managed to get myself standing and stopped swaying I looked around me to find out how much mess was made last night. There was blood smeared across the floor and a number of letters and pieces of paper were spread all over the kitchen floor. It wasn't as bad as some times that I had to clean up, but to get all the blood cleaned up would take a lot of work. Not only to stop it being obvious but seeing as Emmett was trained to spot these things then I would have to be thorough. And my injuries would be hard as well, seeing as Jasper was becoming a doctor. This wasn't going to be easy. It would be worth it though, if I got to spend two weeks with my bothers. I would get breakfast ready and packed for Charlie to take with him to the station and then clean up. I stumbled over to the fridge and pulled out some bacon and some bread to make bacon sandwiches. When I had put the bacon on the grill I buttered the bread. I waited until the bacon was done and then placed the bacon on the bread and packed in a plastic container. I put it in the hall way for him to pick up on his way out, in an attempt to get him to leave me alone. Of course it didn't work. When Charlie came down the stairs in his uniform he came straight in the kitchen to find me just finishing the kitchen. It had taken a long time, but it did look a lot better and as good as it was ever going to look.

"This house better be spotless by the time I get home tonight" he then came over and slapped me, on the same cheek he slapped yesterday. "And that's for trying to get out of your punishment." And then he just left. Picked up his breakfast and left for work.

Now I had nearly a whole day without punishment. Well, sort of. I had to clean the whole house, and I do mean the whole house. Charlie doesn't care where he hits me, just as long as I get hit. And he had hit me all over the house, so I had a lot of work to do.

Six hours later I had cleaned the whole house. There wasn't any blood to be seen and the every room was tidy. Now I just had to clean my self up. I walked into the now clean bathroom and stripped. Looking at my body I was disgusted with what I saw. My rib cage was mapped in bruises and so were my arms and legs. My wrist was swollen to twice its size and so was my ankle. And I was so thin. My bones jutted out of my skin, making me look like I was deflated. Charlie was right about one thing, no one would ever love me. Apart from my brothers I don't see what would make anyone look twice at me. I was worse than a plain Jane. I didn't have one good thing about me. My hair was dry and brittle and my eyes had bags underneath, tell tail signs that I don't get much sleep.

I stepped carefully into the shower, cautious of my bad ankle. Once I had got the water to the right temperature I started to wash. I couldn't wash as thoroughly as I would want because it hurt to move and to touch any of the bruises. I used my best shampoo and conditioner on my hair in an attempt to make it look like it used to. When I was done I stepped out the shower and wrapped my self in a towel and walked into my room.

After I had tapped all my injuries up best I could I looked into my wardrobe to see what I could wear. I didn't want to wear my old sweats because that was too plain. But my only options were my skinny jeans that were loose on me now since I had lost weight and my purple hood. I had to wear a hood so that it would hide my face as best as possible. I put it all on and then pulled out my hair dryer. It took forever to dry my hair since it was so thick and long, but I still got everything dry. After I had got all of it dry I it didn't look as bad as it usually did. It wasn't what it used to be, but it had some shine to it and was soft and bouncy. I knew that as soon as the boys left that I would go back to using my regular shampoo but it was nice that I could have this one small luxury, no matter how short for.

Now I just had to get started on dinner and then I was done. I didn't normally eat dinner. I would have a snack for the whole day and then that's it. I tried to make myself dinner but I would usually throw it back up afterwards. I would have to eat in front of Jasper and the others though or they would know something was wrong. Ungh, I was not looking forward to being sick later on, but anything to make them happy.

I pulled out the stuff needed to make Emmett's favorite meal. I remember cooking this for him the first time. He looked like he was expecting it to taste horrible even though mom had told him that she loved it. After he had it I was making it for him non stop for the rest of the month, let's just say that Jasper had had enough of eating the same meal everyday and demanded that I make something else or he was going to start going out and buying himself meals. Emmett was not happy when I stopped making it but made me swear to make it for him once a month. When he went away he made me make a huge pot of it so that he could take it with him, I had never laughed so hard when he had asked.

I didn't look at the time until I had finished making it and left it to cook until it was time to serve. I only had about half an hour until they were meant to arrive. Since it was a Wednesday Charlie had to work until six. That meant that I could greet my brothers without Charlie breathing down my neck and watching me like a hawk.

But no matter if Charlie was here or not I would have to be careful of what I did and said. Emmett may look dumb but I know that he is a kick ass cop and is very observant, and Jasper, well, he may be quite but he was the best listener that I have ever known. And I'm sure that their friends will be just as aware of things. I wouldn't be rude but I would keep things to myself, you have to earn my trust. And the only ones I have ever trusted are my brothers, that is why I have never had many friends. And now I find it really hard to even talk to anyone.

I went upstairs and pulled out my guitar case that was locked from under my bed. I loved playing, and I think now is the best time to play again. When I have the chance to be happy again. I took it down stairs with me and sat on one of the kitchen chairs. I strummed some chords, still perfectly tuned. I considered what I should play. I then thought that I should play Mr. President by Pink. It was one of my favorite songs and it explains my situation best.

While playing I always felt alive, in a way that nothing else ever could. I play a lot of instruments. I play piano, violin, base, flute, drums and I also sing. Mum brought me all my instruments before she left because Charlie always refused.

I didn't pay attention to the time while I was playing, just letting myself get lost in the music.

When I heard the front door bang open about half way through the song it came as a shock. At first I thought it was Charlie come home early in a drunken rage, but then I heard the excited voice of Emmett and the calming voice of Jasper. Along with several new voices apart from when I had heard them on the phone.

I had just managed to prop my guitar up on the chair next to me when Emmett appeared around the corner with a big goofy grin on his face. And Jasper was right behind him. Even though they look nothing alike. Emmett had dark brown hair like me where Jasper had blonde. And they were complete opposites; Emmett was one with an offensive job while Jasper was a healer. But they both had big smiles on they're faces now.

"Bells!" Emmett yelled. Running across to me and picking me up in a bone crushing hug. I couldn't help but wince when he hit my ribs.

"Cant breathe…..calm down..." I said between gasps for air. I was smiling though. How could I not?

"Em put her down. You'll hurt her." Jasper said while peeling me away from Emmett and pulling me into his warm embrace. While Emmett expressed his emotions with words Jasper didn't have to use words.

"Thanks" I breathed, relaxing into his arms.

"No problem." He whispered, pulling back to look at me. Of course he couldn't because I had my hood up. I pulled back before he could. I know I can't avoid it forever but I didn't want him to start worrying right after he got through the door. He didn't give up though and just kept going until he had pulled my hood all the way down. I had done my best to cover the bruising up with makeup but you could still see it quite clearly because I was so pale. Jasper certainly didn't look happy.

"What happened?" he asked as he tilted my head this way and that.

"I just fell over. It's really not a big deal. It looks a lot worse than it actually is." He still didn't look convinced. Luckily Emmett butted in then.

"Leave it Jazz; we'll deal with it later." Emmett didn't look happy either but he didn't want to linger on it.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" I voice said from behind Jasper. I looked over his shoulder to see three people that I had never met before.

"Of course. Bella, this is Alice, my girl friend, Alice, this is my sister Bella" Jasper pointed to a small black haired girl who looked like a pixie. She bounced over to me and grabbed my hand; unfortunately it was the one with the broken wrist. I didn't flinch or show any signs of pain, but inside my head I was screaming at her to let go.

"Alice, nice to meet you" I said while shaking her hand. Damn did that hurt.

"I have heard so much about you! Jazz and Emmett never stop talking about you!" she was literally bouncing up and down on the spot. Jasper wrapped his arm around her waist and it seemed to calm her down some. Thankfully Alice let go of my hand then as well.

"And this is my girlfriend, Rosalie. Rosalie this is my sister Bella." Emmett said proudly. Rosalie was beautiful. She had long blonde hair and a kind smile. She stepped forward and took my hand gently in hers. But it still hurt.

"Bella, it's nice to finally meet you." She smiled kindly at me.

"It's nice to meet you too. I'm glad that you came." I smiled back as nicely as I could because of the pain.

"Oh and this is Edward, Alice's brother" Emmett said, pointing to someone behind Rose. Rose stepped out of the way and what I saw then I could never forget. Edward looked like a Greek god. He had bronze hair that was in casual disarray. He had bright green eyes and he had a lean body. He had muscle, just not in the obvious way.

He smiled at me and walked over and very lightly took my hand in his. And I barley felt the pain; I just kept looking at him.

"Bella, it's nice to finally meet you" and then he went and leaned against the wall again.

"Okay now the introductions are over can we find out where Dad is?" asked Emmett looking round the corner too see if he was coming.

"Char…I mean Dad is at work, he wont be back for a little while." Damn I need to stop slipping up.

"Okay…." He was cut of by the horrible sound of my guitar falling on the floor. Jasper and Alice jumped out of the way and I got a clear view of my guitar laying front first on the floor. Oh no, please don't tell me it's broken.

I rushed forward, forgetting my injuries completely and knelt down next to it, pulling it up. There was no obvious damage but there still could be something wrong with it.

"I am so sorry Bella; I really didn't mean to knock it over." Alice apologized over and over.

"Is it damaged?" I looked over my shoulder to see Edward looking at my guitar.

"I think so…I don't know though." I don't blame Alice for knocking it over, but I was upset that I had spent so long trying to protect my music, for it's the only thing that was left that I cared about, and then I was careless enough to leave it out so something like this could happen. I straightened out, bringing my guitar up with me. I test some of the strings and wince. It may not be damaged but it needed tuning.

"Don't worry about it Alice, it's just the strings that need retuning" my voice was sort of dead. I walked to the kitchen table and placed it on top.

"I'll do it later, why don't we get dinner served, Dad wont be happy if he has to wait to eat" I deliberately made my voice upbeat.

"Cool, I've missed your food Bells" trust Emmett to help with an awkward situation. He jogged over to the pot and lifted the lid, peeking inside.

"Oh yes!" he exclaimed.

"What did you do?"

"Made him his favorite meal." I couldn't help but laugh when Jasper hung his head and groaned.

"I still have the taste in my mouth from last time."

"It's only for tonight and then I'll do something different tomorrow."

"Are we missing something here?" interjected Alice.

"Oh, after I made this for Emmett the first time he wouldn't eat anything but bolognas for the next month. When he moved away I ordered that I make him a huge pot of it so he could still have it when he was away."

"That would explain it"

"Come on, come on!" Emmett looked like a little kid on Christmas morning.

"Hang on. Is anyone here a vegetarian?" I had made some things without meat just in case.

"I'm sort of, I don't eat meat very often but I really don't mind. Emmett seems so excited about it that I'm curios to what it tastes like." I'm not surprised that Rosalie would be a vegetarian.

"Cool, if you're sure. Emmett do you want to plate up for everyone?"

"Yeah, sure. Jazz gets the plates?"

"Same place?" he asked me.

"You know it." Nodding towards where he was heading. He pulled out six plates and went to shut the cupboard. But I stopped him.

"Don't forget Dad." I shudder to think what I would get if I forgot him.

"Oh yeah." He reopened the cupboard and pulled out another plate for Dad and placed them next to the cooker so Emmett could serve up. Everyone formed a sort of line so that they could tell Emmett how much they wanted.

I noticed that what he plated up for the boys was a lot more than the girls. When he got to me I had to stop him from giving me too much other wise I would never be able to attempt to keep it down.

"Come on Bells, you need to eat more than that."

"No I don't, not everyone can shovel food in like you."

"But even Rose and Alice have got more on their plates than you"

"I ate before you got here so I don't need anymore than that"

Just then Charlie decided to come in the front door. I quickly snatched my plate away.

"Serve up Dad. He'll be really hungry and he shouldn't be kept waiting."

And with that I bailed into the living room where the others were sat eating. I could hear Emmett and Dad talking in the kitchen. No one was really talking while they ate. For which I was thankful. I tried to eat all of it but I just couldn't manage it. About half way through I put my plate down, for I was feeling sick and didn't trust myself to eat another bite.

"Is that all your gonna eat Bells?" Charlie and Emmett had come in by now and were sitting watching T.V.

"Yeah, as I said, I had already eaten before you came." I didn't leave any space for argument because I got up and collected everyone's plates and took them into the kitchen.

"I'll help" I heard Edward say from the other room.

"You don't have to. I always do the washing up so you can go sit with the others." I said as soon as he had come through the door.

"Don't worry about it." He grabbed a hand towel from the counter and waited for me to place the clean stuff on the draining board.

"That was really good you know?"

"Thanks. I've been making it since I was little."

"I suppose you would have to since Emmett loves it so much"

"Yeah."

After that we worked in relative peace. Not really talking about anything apart from the usual stuff. It felt nice to have someone to talk to while doing the dishes again. Having some sense of normality.

Only towards the end did my nausea become too much to handle. We were just putting away the last of the things, and Edward was telling some joke, when I stretched to far and the pains hit. I quickly pulled my arm back down and put the pot I was holding on the counter.

"Excuse me." I gasped. Then I ran for the stairs and into the bathroom. I shut the door and locked it. I brought up everything I had eaten and then some stomach acids as well.

When I felt well enough to stand up and check my appearance I looked horrible. I had a thin sheen of sweat on my forehead and I looked even paler then normal. I splashed water on my face and unlocked the door. I could hear talking downstairs and then footsteps coming upstairs. Please tell me they didn't send Charlie to check on me. But luck wasn't on my side. Charlie yanked the door open and grabbed my hair. Pulling me out of the bathroom.

"You need to go downstairs and tell them that you are fine or they are gonna think something is up. I had to argue with Jasper to stop him coming up" he spat in my ear. "Oh and if you think your getting out of your punishment tonight then you are sadly mistaken." Then he shoved me towards the stairs. I managed to find my balance before I fell and stumbled my way downstairs. On my way to the living room I picked up my guitar and brought it with me. As soon as I stepped through the door Jasper was in front of me taking my temperature and frowning.

"Jazz get off. I'm fine. I just ate something off today that's all." I pushed past him and sat on one of the sofas, next to Edward.

"Bella you are most certainly not fine."

"Yes I am." I stopped paying attention then. I started to retune my guitar. When it was knocked over it put the notes all over the place. It took about half an hour to get them all back to the right notes.

"Do you only play the guitar?" everyone was watching me, but it was Rosalie that had asked the question.

"No, I play some other things as well" I mumbled.

"You should hear her play. She has a beautiful voice." That was Emmett.

"She plays loads of different instruments. She plays piano, flute, violin, base, drums and she also has a load of music tech stuff."

"Wow." Rosalie, Alice and Edward all said in unison.

"Its no big deal" I hated having attention.

"Will you play for us?" Edward asked from beside me.

"I don't know…"

"Come on Bells..." Emmett pleaded.

"Let me think what to play." I don't think this is a good idea. But I think I'll play what I was playing before they came in.

I started playing the introduction and then looked straight at Charlie while I sang. I wanted him to know how much it hurt. I knew I would pay for it later, but this was my only way of letting the pain out.

Na Na naaa

Na Na Na Na

Naa

Dear Mr. President

Come take a walk with me

Lets pretend we're just two people and

You're not better than me.

I'd like to

Ask you some questions and

We can speak honestly

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?

Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?

What do you fell when you look in the mirror?

Are you proud?

How do you sleep when the rest of us cry?

How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?

How do you walk with your head held high?

Can you even look me in the eye?

And tell me why?

Na Na naaa

Na Na Na Na

Naa

Dear Mr. President

Where you a lonely boy?

(Where you a lonely boy?)

How can you say no child is left behind?

We're not dumb and we're not blind

They're all sitting in your cells

While you pave the road to hell

What kind of farther would take his own daughters rights away?

And what kind of farther might hate his own daughter if she were gay?

I can only imagine what the first lady had to say

You've come a long way

From whiskey and cocaine

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?

How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?

How do you walk with your head held high?

Can you even look me in the eye?

Let me tell you 'bout hard work

Minimum wage with a baby on the way

Let me tell you 'bout hard work

Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away

Let me tell you 'bout hard work

Building a bed out of a card board box

Let me tell you 'bout hard work

Hard work

Hard work

Hard work

You don't know nothing 'bout hard work

Hard work

Hard work

Oh

How do you sleep at night?

How do you walk with your head held high?

Dear Mr. President

You'd never take a walk with me

Hmmmmm

Would you?

The room was silent for a few moments after I had finished. Charlie looked furious, while the girls looked like they were going to cry, Jasper and Emmett looked proud. Edward I couldn't tell what his expression was. It looked like shock. Sort of how someone looks like when they're woken up out of a deep sleep by a loud noise.

"Wow. I've never seen anyone that could play like that. And I've seen some of the best musicians there are." Alice was the one to break the silence.

"We told you that she was good." Emmett said.

They all just nodded in response. Charlie was getting redder by the second. He knew what I was trying to get across and he defiantly wasn't happy about it. I was going to have to lock my guitar up and hide it again for a very long time.

"It's getting late. I'm sure you're tired." I said hastily.

"Where's every one sleeping?" Emmett asked Charlie

"I'm on the sofa, Jasper and Alice are in Bella's room, Emmett and Rosalie are in my room and Edward and Bella are in Emmett and Jasper's old room." I didn't know Charlie had made sleeping arrangements for everyone. I looked at Edward to see if he minded sharing a room with me. Apparently not.

"Right then. I'm going to go move some stuff out of my room and then go to bed" I got up and went to the stairs. I ran up to my room and pulled my guitar case out and placed it carefully back inside. I then put the padlock on it and clicked it shut. I pushed it back under the bed. It was good that Jasper and Alice were staying in here because Charlie wouldn't be able to come in here and get my music without waking them up. I grabbed my pyjamas and clothes for the next day and walked to Emmett and Jaspers old room.

As I was folding my clothes for the next day and putting them beside my bed on the floor I heard the rest come up. I heard Charlie's heavy footsteps go into his room and shuffle about and then leave again. I heard Jasper and Emmett lugging theirs and Alice and Rosalie's suit cases upstairs and putting them in their designated rooms, then quietly shutting the door behind them. And last of all I heard Edward make his way upstairs and then to the door of the room we would be sharing. The door pushed open and I saw him drag his suitcase to the other bed and open it, rummaging around and pulling out some basketball shorts and a grey t-shirt. I realized that he would want some privacy to change and silently went over to the door and slipped out. I needed to get some pain killers or I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. I ran to the bathroom and grabbed two pills and then downstairs for a glass of water. When I was reaching for a glass in one of the higher cabinets I felt a hand in my hair and it yanked my head back. Man that hurt.

"Don't think you're getting out of punishment after that little stunt you pulled with the guitar." And with that he shoved me forward so that my stomach hit the counter top. It knocked the breath out of me. I knew that Charlie wouldn't try and do anything with the others still awake. He would do it later tonight while I waited anxiously, tossing and turning in bed wondering when my hell would start. I don't know how he thought he could hurt me without everyone waking up, but I knew that he would find a way.

I finished getting my water and took my pills. I then trudged upstairs slowly because my injuries were starting to hurt like a bitch.

When I got to the room where I would be staying I saw Edward laying in his bed reading with his bed side lamp on. I couldn't see the title of the book he was reading, but he was about half way through. He looked up when I came in.

"Do you mind if stay up for about another ten minuets and then turn the light off? I really want to finish this chapter."

"Go for it."

"Thanks" and then he went back to reading. I knew that Charlie wouldn't be able to do anything until Edward was asleep. He would have to come and get, because I would never go to him willingly, so he couldn't risk Edward being awake. I pulled the sheets back and climbed in. lying on my side with my back facing him, I tried not to think of what I was going to get tonight.

About ten minuets later I heard the click of Edwards's lamp being turned out and the room was plunged into darkness apart from the light coming from the streetlights outside.

I didn't have to wait long to hear Edwards breathing become steady and deep. I knew it was only a matter of time until Charlie would make his way up.

True to my thoughts a couple of minuets later I heard footsteps downstairs, and then on the stairs, making their way up. A few seconds later they were on the landing, padding over to my door. Despite my best efforts my breathing sped. The door cracked open, and then opened the whole way. I could see the outline of Charlie's frame but nothing else. He came towards my bed and grabbed my bad wrist, yanking me up and dragging me out the room behind him. I thought about crying out, to alerting the others to what was happening, but then I thought against it. It would only make the situation worse.

Charlie didn't say anything as he pulled me down the stairs and to the front door. He opened the door slowly and then pulled me out and pushed me to the ground. He shut the door and grabbed me by the wrist again, dragging me towards the fringe of the forest. Still he didn't say anything. When Charlie really got going he could be really loud, so instead of putting himself in danger of being discovered, he was going to keep quite while he subjected me to torture.

He dragged me in far enough so that no one would be able to see us and then shoved me down again. My face scraped across the rough forest floor. He started kicking me, in the gut, in the ribs, anywhere but the face. After he had finished with that he let me lay on the floor, breathing heavily and clutching my sides in agony. I thought maybe he was going to leave me alone, but I was sadly mistaken. He bent down and grabbed a fistful of my hair and dragged me to my feet. He then switched his hold to my neck squeezing only a little, but because I was so desperate for breath it cut of my air supply completely. After a couple of seconds the darkness over came me and I fell to the floor.

Emmett's point of view.

When I woke up there was light coming in from the window to the left of me. Rose was curled up next to me, one hand laid on my chest while the other rested above her head. She looked peaceful while she slept. I just watched her for a while. I was so glad that she and Bella had gotten on. I had been so worried about it that it was nice to have a little peace of mind. What was bothering me was that Bella had a huge bruise on her face. There was no way that she had got that from falling over, and was it me or did that bruise look a little bit like a hand?

I didn't have long to think about this though because I could hear the others getting up. I looked back down at my sleeping Rose and gently shook her until she woke up. She sat up groggily and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to get some of the knots out that had formed during the night.

"Come on Rose, we need to get up."

"Why?"

"Cause everyone else is and it would be rude to just lie here all day. Besides I want to see my sister."

"Alright, alright. I'm getting up." She turned and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She walked over to her suitcase and pulled out some plain blue jeans and a red sweater. While she was getting dressed I pulled out my own clothes for the day. I decided on dark jeans and a plain white hood. After Rose had fixed her hair we both left the room and heard voices downstairs. We headed downstairs to find everyone but Bella in the kitchen, either sitting on a chair or leaning against one of the counters.

"Hey, is there any coffee?"

"Just making some." Jasper was standing by the kettle with four mugs on the counter beside him. He reached for two more mugs and added the right amount of coffee and sugar to them, still waiting for the water to finish boiling.

"Where's Bell?" looking around the kitchen and saw them shrug. I looked towards Edward seeing as he had stayed in the same room as her last night he would know where she was. He turned to see me looking at me and sighed.

"She was still asleep when I got up. I thought I heard her leave sometime during the night but then a couple of minuets later she returned. She might have just been feeling sick again."

"Has anyone tried to wake her up?"

"No, she should wake up in about half hour or so. Don't forget that she had a busy day yesterday." That was Rose

"I suppose so." I wasn't happy about being reminded that she was ill. Why was she sick? She had hardly eaten anything last night, and what she had ate she had brought up again less than twenty minuets later. Jasper saw me frowning and handed me my cup of coffee. I hadn't noticed that the kettle was finished.

"Don't worry about it Em, I'll go and wake her up in a minuet or so. I want to see whether she's feeling okay or if she needs any medicine."

"You didn't pick a good time to visit. There was a virus going round at school before and she caught about a few days ago. It's a good thing that school is out for summer break in a few days" was it me or did his excuse seem fake?

"Even so, I want to check it out. It could be something else and if it is then she'll need to go to her doctors" Jasper seemed to have picked up on it as well.

"If you insist" Charlie defiantly didn't seem happy though. What the hell? If Bella's sick then he should want her to get better, not try to stop her from getting treatment.

We waited another quarter of an hour and there was still no movement form the room Bella was sleeping in. I decided to go up and wake her. As I left the room Jasper came to follow me, everyone else stayed in the kitchen. We jogged up the stairs and across the landing to the room that Bella was. When we pushed the door open and peered around the corner we could see the lump under the sheets that was Bella's small form. We crept across the room and gently shook her, nothing. She didn't even stir. We tried calling her name a few times but we still go nothing. We turned her so that she was lying on her back. We could see the bruise that was on her cheek and a faint redness on the other cheek. I guess that she got that from sleeping on it. We pulled back the cover and saw that she was sleeping in grey sweats and a hood. Seems a little bit weird when it's the middle of the summer. She always used to wear shorts and a tank top to bed. Why the sudden change? Jasper was still trying to get her to wake up but there was no response from her. He gently pulled her wrist from where it was positioned on her stomach and placed to fingers over where her pulse would be. I could see him counting the beats. He didn't look happy.

"Her pulse is slower then the usual rate, even when she's sleeping"

"I'm guessing that's not a good thing"

"Not a good thing. We need to get her to wake up." He tried again by shaking her roughly. Nothing.

"BELLS! WAKE UP!" I shouted in her ear, causing Jasper to cover his ears with his hands. It got a reaction out of her though. She whimpered and opened her eyes so that they were just slits.

"What?" he voice was really coarse. Like she hadn't had any water for a long time. I could hear some of the others coming up the stairs. Probably coming to see what the shouting was about.

"Well at least you're awake. Come on Bells you need to get up now."

"Go away. I need to sleep" she turned her back to us, not without moaning though.

"Come on Bella, we didn't come down for you to spend all your time sleeping." She didn't answer. We knew that she wasn't asleep. I reached out and jabbed her in the ribs. Big mistake. I would never have thought anyone could scream that loud, but I was wrong. As soon as I made contact with her ribs she screamed. The footsteps coming towards the room sped up and Rosalie, Alice, Edward and Charlie all fell into the room. I looked at Jasper to see him ripping the covers away from Bella's body. Apart from her head her whole body was covered in dirty clothes. She had curled up in a ball with her arms wrapped around her legs, gasping for air. Jasper put a hand on her arm and pulled her over so that she was on her back again. She had her eyes scrunched up and was still breathing heavily. I don't know a lot about this sort of thing, but I know that this is not the usual reaction to being pocked in the ribs.

I looked over my shoulder at the others. Rosalie looked angry and concerned. Alice looked sympathetic and close to tears. And Edward also looked angry and upset. The one that surprised me the most was Charlie. He didn't have the usual expression you would expect to see on a fathers face when there daughter was in pain. No, he looked at Bella with a warning in his eyes and a sort of sick satisfaction on his face.

Jasper was trying to get Bella to answer him.

"Bella? Come on talk to me."

Bella didn't do anything but moan. She didn't have any tears on her face though. Jasper turned to me and the rest.

"Alice can you go and get me some scissors? And can you all leave apart from Alice and Emmett?" he didn't wait for an answer. Those who had been told to go turned to the door and shuffled out. But only enough so that they weren't in the way of the door. Alice slipped out the door and I could hear her in the bathroom, looking through the draws.

"Emmett I need you to lift her head up and place it on your lap. She won't like it but it needs to be done."

I went to the bed and lifted her head enough so that I could place it on my right leg. She looked in so much pain. A few seconds later Alice came through the door carrying scissors. She handed them to Jasper without a word and came and knelt by my legs and gently stroked her hair.

Jasper picked up the hem of Bella's hood and started to cut upwards. The further he cut the more of her skin you could see, and what I saw nearly made me throw up. Her stomach and ribs were blue, black and purple. Bella made no attempt to stop what Jasper was doing; she didn't seem to be aware of anything apart from the pain she was feeling. When Jasper had cut all the way to the neck, he spread the fabric so that we all got a clear view. He then cut down the sleeves and pulled them down so that her torso and arms were bare, apart from the fabric bra that she was wearing.

She was covered in bruises, and it looked like it went all the way to her back as well. I looked at Alice to see that she had tears streaming down her face. I then glanced at Jasper to see that he had the same expression that would have been on mine. Who could have done this to Bella?

"I think some of her ribs are broken, and her right wrist is snapped by the looks of it"

Then he started to cut away her sweats as well. Her legs were the same colour as the rest as her body. How did this happen? There was no way that she would have got this just by falling over. And she was really thin. And when I say really thin, I mean really thin. Her bones stuck out from her body, which made the bruises look even worse. Someone must have done this to her, but who? She was the chief of police daughter, no one could do this without him noticing or knowing about it….. Oh holy crap! No, there was no way. But I couldn't think of anything else that would explain it. My eyes felt like they would never shut they were so wide.

"Jasper…" my voice was just a whisper.

"We need to get Dad to call an ambulance and get her pain medication." He obviously hadn't put it together yet.

"I don't think he would" now my anger had taken over, I had all but growled the words out.

"What?"

"I think Charlie was the one who did this."

"He wouldn't"

"All the evidence is there. They have been weird since we got here. And he tried to stop us from treating her. We need to get her out of here and get him in jail!" I was shouting. I think Charlie had figured out that I had put the pieces together. The door opened and smashed against the wall. His face was purple and red and he was heading straight towards where Bella was laying. All the commotion had seemed to bring Bella back to her senses and she was now looking at Charlie with wide terrified eyes and then back down to her body. The others had all come in after Charlie and were now looking at Bella with wide eyes and mouths. Mean while Charlie was still making his way to Bella. If he thinks that I'm going to let him anywhere near her after what I just found out then he is in for a big surprise. I pulled my leg out from underneath Bella's head, hearing her gasp when her head fell back onto the pillow but not really registering it. I walked up to Charlie and punched him square in the jaw, hearing his grunt when I made impact. Edward seemed to get what was happening and moved to restrain him by the arms while I brought him down so that he was kneeling on the floor.

"How could you? Your own daughter? You son of a bitch!"

"Emmett, we need to get her to Carlisle, he's the closest!" I turned away from Charlie's face and saw that Bella was unconscious and Alice trying to get her to come round again.

Crap!

"Edward help me get him out of the room and Jasper and everyone get our things and Bella and her thing in the car and ready to go." Then me and Edward hauled him to his feet and dragged him into his room, ignoring his struggles. Once we had got him in I grabbed mine and Rose's stuff and threw it onto the landing while Edward held a still struggling Charlie. Once I had done that I ran to the door and pulled the handle off of his side of the door, motioning to Edward to let him go, he shoved Charlie into the dresser and ran out the door. I slammed the door. I heard a bang and saw the door vibrate under the force of Charlie throwing himself at it. I knew that it wouldn't hold him long, but it would give us enough time to pack up all of Bella's stuff that she would want to take.

"Jasper! What does Bella want to take?" I shouted as I ran into her room. I waited a couple of seconds before the reply came.

"Some clothes. But you need to get her instruments out apparently. She said that she doesn't care as long as you get them out."

I looked around but couldn't see any of her instruments anywhere. I ran and shoved all of Jasper and Alice's clothes back in their suitcases and zipped them up while I shouted back to Jasper.

"Where?" it only took a couple of seconds for the reply to come.

"Under the bed!" I grabbed the suitcases and shoved them onto the landing. Rose was just coming out of the room Bella was in. "get them downstairs and in the car. Along with all the other bags. Make sure there is plenty of room left over so that I can get the rest of the stuff in." I dint wait to hear a reply and dashed back into Bella's room and dropped to the floor and started pulling stuff out from underneath. There was a long and fairly thin case and there was also a case that was clearly holding her guitar. I also pulled out a keyboard case and a violin. There was a huge instrument that was clearly the base and a pair of drumsticks. There was also a laptop case. God, leave it to Bella to make what was supposed to be a quick escape a moving out session. I grabbed all the cases apart from the one that held the base and dashed down the stairs. I ran through the open front door and to the boot of the minivan that we had hired for the ride down. I opened to boot compartment and slid the stuff in. it was going to be a tight fit to get the base in but I could do it. I was about to yell for someone to get Bella some clothes packed when I saw Alice running down the stairs with a backpack slung over her shoulder.

"I've got Bella some clothes. Jazz is bringing her down now." And then she brushed past me and got into the van. I went up to Bella's room and grabbed the last case and was about to go down the stairs when Jazz appeared holding Bella. She was completely limp in his arms. Edward was behind him.

"We need to go, and now."

"We just need to get in the van and then we can leave."

"Edwards gonna drive us to his parents house, they were expecting us to go over anyway so Carlisle will be home." Just then there was a crack from Charlie's bedroom. We spun to see a crack running down it and more pounding noises.

"Go!" Jasper ran down the stairs and out the door. I and Edward followed behind, Edward stopping when he was outside so I could run to the van while he shut the door.

I shoved the case into the back and slammed the door while Jasper got Bella in. I saw Edward run to the drivers side and slide in, slamming the door. I jumped in the still open side door and got in next to Rose, who was supporting my sister.

"I'm sorry Emmett" she whispered.

"What for?"

"For what he did to Bella, what this has done to you, for everything"

"It's going to be fine" I didn't know if I was reassuring her or me.

"Edward you need to go faster, her pulse is slowing down again." Jasper said from the other side of Bella. Edward didn't reply, but I did feel the van pick up speed. I looked out the window to see us turn down a drive way that was barely visible. I took a few minuets for the house to come into view, the whole time it was silent. As soon as the van pulled to a stop Edward jumped out, running to the door and inside. I got out and so did Rosalie and Jasper, with Bella in his arms. Alice got out from the front passenger seat. Only now did I notice that they had dressed Bella in a brown blanket. We were all jogging up to the door when Carlisle stepped out; I worried expression on his face. As soon as he saw Bella he nodded and stepped to the side so that we could get through the door. I heard a gasp and looked to see Esme standing in the hall with her hands over her moth, staring at the limp form in Jaspers arms.

"Take her upstairs and into Edwards room."

We didn't need anymore direction than that. Edward ran ahead of us, guiding us up. He opened the door and Jasper laid her down on the bed that was pushed up against the east wall. Carlisle pushed over to her and checked her pulse.

"Everyone out apart from Jasper and Esme." He ordered. I opened my mouth to protest but Jasper shot me a look that clearly said that I should just keep quite and do what he says. I shuffled out the room with everyone else, glancing back over at them one last time before the door was closed.

"Damn it" I said as I slumped down against the wall, not stopping until I was on the floor.

"What happened? Why is she like that?" Alice's voice shook as she said it.

"Charlie did it."

"But what happened? How did you know?" everyone was looking at me know, waiting.

"Later, I think this should wait until they're done" I said, jerking towards the door where they were working on Bella.

I don't know how long we waited, but it felt like forever. Every minuet dragged by and still no one came down to tell us what was happening. We had moved away from the door and were now sitting in the living room; Rosalie curled up against my chest while Edward had his arm around Alice, that wouldn't stop shaking. We didn't talk; I don't think anyone had anything to say. I couldn't say anything, I was stuck between worry and wondering how this could have happened and anger.

After a few more hours, Carlisle came down with his arm around Esme and Jasper trailing behind. They all looked tired and drained. We all watched as they sat down. Jasper sat down next to Alice and took her in his arms while Esme and Carlisle sat on the love seat opposite me and Rose.

"Can you tell me what happened?" it was Carlisle who asked this time.

"I don't know."

"Tell us how you figured it out."

"When we got in the house we saw that Bella had a huge bruise on her cheek, but she told us that she fell. Then she wouldn't eat hardly anything when we started to eat. And what she did eat she threw up. Jasper wanted to go up and see if she was alright, but Charlie insisted that he do it. When she came down she looked horrible, all pail and sweating. We asked if there was anything wrong, but she waved us off. We asked her if she would play us something on the guitar, and she sung this really sad song, and she looked at Charlie the whole time. When she was finished he was glaring at her." I stopped to take a breath and then continued. "Edward said that he heard her get up in the middle of the night, and then return later, god, he was beating her when we were there! Why didn't we pick up on this?"

"You didn't know, and you pieced it together and got her out of there. You did all you could" Esme said to me.

"I just don't see how this could have happened. How long has this been going on?" I looked at Carlisle.

"I would think that it has been going on for about two years, judging by her injuries."

"This has been going on TWO years! Why didn't she tell us? How could she not tell us?"

"She was probably scared. And who would have believed her? Charlie's a cop. The chief. She could only tell people in Forks, I'm guessing that he wouldn't have let her out of the town in case she tried to run away."

"But he would have had to let her go eventually; she turns eighteen in a few months." Jasper pointed out.

"I hate to say this to you but I don't think that he was planning on letting her leave. I think he may have been planning on killing her."

"You…he. No…we would have stopped it….just" I couldn't speak. How could he have beaten her? And then plan to kill her! He isn't human, because no human being would do that to his daughter.

"How is she?"

"Okay for now. It will take her time to recover, but I think she will be okay."

"What is wrong with her?"

"She has some bruised ribs, a snapped wrist, a sprained ankle, bruises covering her body and by the looks of she's been strangled."

"Is she awake?"

"No, I don't know how long she will be out for, but a couple of hours at least. You should get some rest. There's no point in staying up. If you wake up in five hours or so then she should be waking up."

I wanted to see Bella, but there was no point. I would be of more use if I was rested and active than if I was groggy and tired.

When I woke up it was just getting light outside. I don't know how long I had slept for, but I had a crick in my neck and Rose was curled up against my side. Carlisle had shown us to a guest room, letting us sleep. I brought my left wrist up to my face to check the time. It had just gone half five. Surely Bella would be awake by now. Crap! I hadn't even been to see if she was okay. I jerked out of the bed, making Rose wake up in the process.

"What's going on?" her voice was thick with sleep.

"I need to check on Bella"

"There's no rush babe, nothing would have happened"

"I don't care, I need to see her." I hadn't changed out of my clothes when I had gone to sleep, so I could go out without having to stop to dress. I slipped out the door and jogged down the corridor to Edwards's room. Carlisle had placed me and Jasper close by so that if Bella needed us then we weren't far away. I turned the handle and looked inside. A lamp was on next to the bed, but Bella was still asleep. I walked over to the bed and sat down next to her and brushed her hair out of her face. There were scratches on one cheek and a bruise on the other.

Bella had always been beautiful, but now that beauty had been spoiled. I had noticed the change in her but had never said anything. When she was growing up she had always been laughing and with a smile on her face, and she was always most beautiful when she was playing her music. I can understand why she had wanted me to pack all of her music, even if it meant putting her in danger.

For the first time since mom had left I let a tear escape my eye. I was meant to be her brother, her protector, and I had let this happen to her! How could we have not seen this before? And it had still gone on while we were there! I knew that Bella and everyone else would be mad if I blamed myself, but I would never stop. I knew that Jasper would understand and feel the same thing.

I had never felt so helpless before, seeing my baby sister screaming in pain and terror in her eyes.

I had been so rapped up in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed that Bella was now awake. She reached a trembling hand out and brushed away the tears running down my cheeks. I caught her hand and held it in my own. She was so skinny, she felt as though she would break if I put too much pressure on her hand. I looked at her other hand and it was in a cast, I remember Carlisle saying that she had a snapped wrist.

"Hey" I winced at the sound of her voice. She had a lot of bruising around her neck, and she sounded like she had sand paper at the back of it.

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Horrible"

"Do you need anything? Are you in pain?"

"No, I just feel like crap" just then the door opened again and Jasper stepped through. He saw that Bella was awake and jogged over and sat on the other side of the bed, opposite me. He looked at my face and took in the tears running down it, but didn't comment.

"How are you?" he asked.

"As I told Em, I feel like crap" I saw him wince at the sound of her voice too.

"Do you want me to get Carlisle?"

"He'll be asleep" she objected

"He said to come and get him when you wake up. I'll go and get him" before she could object again, Jasper was up and moving towards the door. He slipped out again.

"Why does he have to disrupt him just for me?" I don't think she meant for me to hear, but I did.

"Because he is your brother and you need a doctor"

"I don't see what the big deal is; it's just a few bruises"

"Have you seen yourself? Bella, we know what HE did"

"Um…."

"Don't try to cover up what he did to you! You could have died!" she mumbled something into the pillow but I couldn't make out what it was. I was just about to ask what she had said when the door opened again. This time both Jasper and Carlisle walked through.

"How are you Bella?" asked as he lifted the covers away from her. They had bandaged her ribs, but there wasn't anything that they could do about the bruises.

"Crap, and tired"

"Understandable. Bella, we need you to tell us how long this had been happening to you"

"I….. Since Emmett and Jasper left"

"So about two years? And you never told anyone?"

"No…I couldn't"

"Do you know why he did it?" I held my breath when he asked this. I hadn't thought about why he had done it, but there was no reason good enough to justify what he had done.

"He…..he blamed me for mom leaving" she whispered. How could he? She was seven when mom left us. If anything it was his fault! He drove her away because of his drinking and violence.

"Thank you. When your brothers brought you here yesterday, we bound your ribs and put your wrist and ankle in a cast. It will take about six weeks for it all to heal up, but you shouldn't have any permanent damage."

"Where shall I stay?" I didn't even know the answer to that. I looked at Carlisle and he smiled at me and then Bella.

"Here of course. We can't send you back to your farther, and you have no where else to go, so you will stay here."

"We need to call our jobs Em and see if we can get extra time off. Even if we can't there is no way that I am leaving until we know that Bella is safe and better"

"Same, I'll call the police station and explain that I need time off."

"Don't guys, don't muck up your lives just because of me" of course Bella would argue.

"Don't you be ridicules, we're getting time off so there's no point arguing" I could see that she was going to anyway, but Carlisle cut in then.

"You need to rest Bella; Esme will be up in a while with something to eat." He motioned for all of us to leave Bella alone. We followed him out of the door and closed it behind us.

"Is anyone else up?" asked Jasper as soon as we were a safe distance away from the door.

"Esme and the others are all up, yes. They are down stairs waiting for you" he turned and walked down the hall way and into a room with a dark wooden door and shut it softly behind him.

Me and Jasper looked at each other and walked down the stairs and into the living room we had been in last night. As promised, everyone was there apart from Esme, who we could hear banging around in the kitchen.

"How is she?" asked Edward.

"Okay, Carlisle said there isn't going to be any permanent damage."

"Maybe not physically, but emotionally. It will take her a while to get over this." I blinked. I hadn't really thought about that. Damn it! Would Bella ever be able to have a normal, happy life?

"Can we go up and see her?" asked Alice.

"Carlisle says that she has to rest. The only ones allowed to see her at the moment are him and Esme. He just kicked us out" I sighed and collapsed on the nearest sofa, Jasper following suit.

"She will be okay Emmett. You will get through this. Me and Alice and Edward have all ready called our work and have arranged to take more time off." Thank god for Rosalie. She never fails to amaze me. She had only just met my sister, and yet she was willing to take time off for her. The same for the rest of them. They were truly lovely people.

"Thanks guys, we really need you now."

"No problem. Oh and you are to stay here until you can figure something out. Mom and dad are more than happy to let you stay here."

"You have to be the best mate there is, you know? Oh, and sorry about kicking you out of your bed" said Jasper.

"I don't mind." Just then we saw Esme walk around the corner with a tray in her hands, heading for the stairs.

"I'm taking her some soup for her to eat. She is much too skinny" she said as she passed us. No one said anything. There wasn't really all that much to say.

Edwards point of view.

What ever I expected to happen on this trip, that wasn't one of them.

I didn't expect the trip to be a boring one, but I never thought that it would be this eventful.

When I saw Bella, she looked just how Emmett and Jasper had described her. She was beautiful. She was also kind. Even though she was hurt she never let it show. To go through what she went through alone, that was brave.

I expected to feel angry as to what has happened, but I never thought that I would feel the fury that I feel. Fury and protectiveness.

I have never seen Emmett and Jasper so lost and panicked. I have known them for about two years now, and they have always been happy.

They had always been so proud when they spoke about there little sister, and now I know why. She was so talented. I was a musician myself, but I had never seen anyone put their heart in the music like Bella before. I knew that I wouldn't be me if I didn't play my music, but with Bella, it's like she is the music. Like she lives to play.

We all sat in the living room, not really saying anything. I looked at the clock to see the time was just gone ten in the morning. It had been a good couple of hours since Bella had last been visited. I needed to go up and get some things out of my room, so I wasn't going in and out all the time. I stood up and turned to look at the others as I left the room.

"I'm going to get a few things from my room so I don't disrupt Bella all the time by going in and out."

No one objected, so I took that as an okay. I walked up the stairs and opened the door to what is now Bella's room, and peeked round it. The bedside lamp was on, and Bella was partially sitting up, reading a book. When she saw me she put the book down and smiled at me. I walked over to the bed, and sat down on the side.

"Hey" her voice was nothing like what it had been two days ago.

"Hey, you don't sound good. I'm really sorry"

"Don't be, you didn't do anything. And yeah, my voice is horrible."

"It won't be so bad in a couple of days"

"No, but I wont be able to play anything for a long time" she held up her right wrist as proof.

"Sorry about that. I play the piano, and I hate not being able to play"

"Yeah, well. As soon as Carlisle will let me, I'm getting Em to bring my guitar up and I'm not putting it down."

"Don't blame you. I need to get some stuff, is that all right?"

"Yeah, of course. I didn't realize that this was your room. Sorry I kicked you out."

"I really don't mind." I said, getting up and pulling a few CD's off of the rack and tucking them under my arm.

"Um…I'm sure you have better things to do, but, um…could you stay and keep me company for a while?"

"Yeah sure. Are you sure you don't want to rest though?"

"I'm sure. You have no idea how bored I have been the last five hours." she grinned

"I can only imagine. Do you want some music?" I asked.

"Sure, what have you got?"

"Depends on what you like to listen to"

"Okay, long shot. But you don't happen to have anything by Debussy?"

"As a matter of fact he is one of my favorites" I stated with surprise. I had never met anyone the same age as Bella that had even heard of Debussy, let alone like to listen to him.

"Wow. No one I know even likes him."

"I'm surprised that you know about him"

"What pianist doesn't know about him? Well, any one that appreciates playing the piano"

"Well said. What one?" I said holding up the disk as I walked over to my CD player.

"Claire de Lune. That's always been the best one."

"It seems that we have similar tastes of music"

"Yeah, could you pass me my water?" she asked, pointing to the glass next to the bed, which was just out of her reach.

"Hang on" I hit play and returned to the bed, passing her the water. She took it and gulped nearly the whole glass down.

"Thanks. Ungh."

"Better?"

"Yeah. Man, I wished I had my laptop with Me." she complained.

"Why don't you ask for it?"

"Cause Carlisle said that I should rest, and that I shouldn't strain myself."

"I can see where he's coming from."

"I'm just gonna be looking at a screen! That better than reading a book!" her voice had gone higher, but it was still rough. She looked so indignant that it was almost funny. I have to admit that I did know where she was coming from. I found it hard to go more than a couple of days without doing something, and she was being forced into week of exactly that.

"Ungh, how long will I be in here? I want to be able to play!"

"Not for six weeks at least. You need to let your wrist heal properly, other wise you could never play again." That made her fall silent.

"When you put it like that…God I want to be up"

"Wait a couple of days for your ankle to heal, and maybe Carlisle might let you go downstairs"

"I doubt it; um…..can I ask you something?" she asked nervously.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Why did you help? I mean….I know your friends with Jazz and Em, but you didn't need to let me stay here. And in your room! Why don't you just kick us out?"

"Cause me and my parents aren't people that can just ignore something like this. We like to help. And I know how much you mean to your brothers. They would kill me if I kicked you out, and I think so would everyone else. I couldn't live with myself if I just kicked you out either. So don't beat yourself up about it" when I added the last bit she winced a little.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to…" I began but she cut me off.

"Don't worry; it's just me being stupid. I know you….." she didn't finish her sentence. She had doubled over, panting and gasping for air.

"Bella! What is it? Bella?" she didn't respond. What had I done? I sprinted to the door and yanked it open.

"DAD!" I all but screamed down the corridor. The office door flew open and my dad jogged towards me. I could hear the other downstairs running up the stairs.

"What is it?" he asked as I led him back into where Bella was. She was still doubled over in pain.

"I don't know!"

My dad looked at Bella and was quickly by her side, trying to push her back against the pillows so that he could try to see what was wrong. By now the others had come through the door.

"What happened!" Emmett demanded, looking away from Bella to me.

"I don't know. One minuet we were talking and the next she was like this!"

We both looked back to see that dad had managed to get her to lean back, and had now pushed her nightshirt up so that her stomach was exposed. I knew that Charlie had done a lot of damage, but what I saw now nearly made me gag. Her skin was decorated with bruises, and she was so thin that you could see all of her bones. Not only had that bastard beaten her, but he had starved her as well. My emotions quickly changed from horror to anger. What kind of person could do this? And a cop as well!

Dad looked over at us and my worry eased a little, but my anger was still going strong.

"Esme, I need you to get me some more pain killers." Mom left the room quickly and I heard her run to the bathroom just a couple of doors down.

"Carlisle what's going on?" Emmett was still panicking.

"The pain killers have worn off and she has been up for too long. She needs to rest." Mom came in with a box in her hand and went straight over to Dad. Dad opened the box and put two small pills in his hand, and then he picked up the glass of water that was sitting on the bedside table.

"Bella, I need you to take these pills, and then you need to rest" he explained to her.

"Okay" she sounded like she had no voice because she was gasping so much. She held out her hand, the one that wasn't bandaged, and Dad placed the two pills in her hand. She slowly brought it up to her lips. Dad, sensing that she wouldn't be able to hold the glass, guided it up to her lips so that she could drink from it. After she had swallowed Dad pushed her back against the pillows again and brought the duvet up to her shoulders.

"Turn the music off Edward; she needs to be able to sleep." He said to me. I did as he said and walked over to the CD player and switched it off. Even though the music hadn't been that loud, it was still noticeable when it was switched off.

"Leave her now. No one is to come in here until I feel that she has rested enough." He then motioned for us to leave. I grabbed the pile of things I had left on my desk and followed them out. I felt guilty. If I had known that I would have worn her out so much I wouldn't have come up.

"Listen Em, Jazz. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to…." They didn't let me finish.

"No, don't worry about it. You didn't know that would happen" Jasper sighed.

"Yeah, just…it wasn't your fault that happened" Emmett.

Even though they didn't blame me, I did. I walked to the room that I was now sleeping in and dumped my stuff on the chair in the corner. I then slumped onto my bed, feeling suddenly drained. I thought that going through College was hard, it was nothing compared to what I had gone through in the last few days.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to relax. I hadn't slept well last night. I was too worried about what was going to happen. I found my self drifting off. Even though I could feel myself slipping, I didn't feel any sense of relief.

A few hours later I woke up to the sound of screaming and running feet. At first I thought it was a dream, but then I realized that the screaming was coming from Bella's room. I shot up and was out of the door in a second, joining the others that were all running toward the same room. Jasper and Dad were in front, and they pushed the door open quickly and vanished from sight. Me, Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and Mom weren't that far behind. As soon as we stepped into the room we could see both Dad and Jasper were pinning Bella's arms down, as she was thrashing around. She was still asleep and was obviously having a nightmare.

"Emmett, Edward, grab her legs" Dad said to us through gritted teeth.

Emmett and I quickly moved to the bed, grabbing her knees and pushing them to the bed. Jasper was trying to get her to wake up, but it wasn't working. What would get her to calm down? Looking round the room for some sort of inspiration, my eyes fell upon the CD player. Could…..? She seemed soothed when I had played Debussy earlier, is it possible that it might work now? I let go of her leg and ran to the CD player, ignoring the yell that came from Emmett asking what the hell I thought I was doing.

Helping you and Bella I thought to myself as I hit the play button and Claire De Lune came through the speakers. It had an almost immediate effect. Bella stopped screaming and then slowly stopped struggling, until she was lying limply again.

Everyone was looking at me in shock, most of all Jasper and Emmett. But I hardly noticed them, as I was walking over to Bella and sitting on the bed next to where her head lay.

I leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Bella? I need you to wake up now. Come on" I waited a couple of seconds and then her eyes fluttered open.

"Edward? What…" her eyes flicked to my face.

"Your okay, you were screaming. You wouldn't wake up." When I mentioned that she had had a nightmare she started breathing quicker. I put my hand on her hair and started to stroke it softly. I didn't know why I did it, but it seemed like the right thing to do at that moment. She stiffened for an instant, but then started to relax.

"There, now go back to sleep." I started to get up again, but she shook her head.

"Can you stay here? I don't want to be alone." She pleaded. I looked up at Jasper and Emmett, asking what I should do. They were looking at me, with shocked expressions on their faces. When they realized that I was asking them, they both shrugged and looked at my Dad. I looked at him to see that he had a similar expression on his face.

"Stay with her Edward. If it what she wants then I think it for the best" he told me. I nodded at him and turned back to Bella. She was staring at me with wide, confused eyes.

"You don't have to..." she began but I quickly cut her off.

"Shhhh, try to sleep. I'm not going anywhere." I turned around to face the others. I didn't say anything, butt they took it as their que to leave. They all filed out the door, Jasper and Emmett looking over their shoulders as they did, trying to get one last look at Bella. As soon as the door was closed I turned back to Bella. Her breathing was back to normal, more or less, and she didn't look as panicked as before. She was still looking at me though, which made my heart tighten.

"How….?"

"I don't know. I just know that music always soothes me."

"Thank you." She breathed.

"Can I ask what the dream was about?" I didn't want her to panic again, but I thought that it might help her to talk about it.

"No…..I don't want to talk about it, or think about it." I wasn't going to push it.

"Okay. Please try and sleep." I begged.

"I don't want to; I don't want to go through it again.

"You won't. I'm not going anywhere, and if it looks like your having a bad dream I'll wake you up again." I promised.

"I…please" she looked at me with wide eyes.

"You need to sleep. The sooner you go to sleep the sooner you'll wake up" I offered.

"And you promise that you won't leave?"

"I promise. I'll be here when you wake up." I told her.

"All right then..." she said hesitantly. She leaned her head further into the pillows, and closed her eyes. After a couple of minuets she was asleep again. She must have been really tired. I carried on stroking her hair. Once she stirred, a small whimper coming from her lips, but then she settled back down, her chest rising and falling at a steady rhythm.

I don't know how long I sat there for, but no came in to check on us. After a while I realized that, because I had been sitting in the same position for a long time, my back and legs were getting really stiff. I looked at Bella, she seemed to be asleep. As long as I returned before she woke up, then she wouldn't know that I had left. I pulled my hand away, for it was still on her hair, and slowly started to get up.

I was almost at the door when Bella stirred again, lifting her arm and hitting the place where I had been. When she came up empty, her breathing became unsteady. I rushed back to her side, picking up her hand and inclosing it in both of mine. It was strange, that she had only known me about three days, and I was the one that she wanted to stay with her. Obviously if I left she would panic again. I got up and jogged to the other side of the bed and lay down beside her, placing a hand on her arm so she would know I was there still. I was still tired, I had hardly had any sleep at all, and since Bella was asleep, and I was still here, then surely if I had a quick rest it wouldn't matter. I laid my head back on a pillow. I was just nearing falling asleep when I felt Bella shift next to me. That wasn't what made me snap my eyes open though. No, what made that happen was Bella curling herself into my side. I stiffened, wondering whether I should move her or not, but then thought that there wasn't anything wrong with it. I put and arm round her shoulder, resting my head on her head. Listening to the steady rhythm of her breathing, I found myself falling asleep once again.

Jaspers point of view.

We hadn't heard any movement from Bella's room for a couple of hours now. I'm still shocked that Edward was the one to calm Bella down, and that he was the one she asked to stay with her. I knew that he cared about Bella, but I only thought it was because she was mine and Emmett's sister, but obviously we were wrong. I'm not sure what to think about that. Normally I would have thought it was great, but after what has happened, I find it hard to trust her with anyone. Call it what ever you want, but I'm her brother and I will never stop worrying about her.

Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and I were all sitting in the living room, the T.V was turned on, but I don't think anyone was watching it. Rosalie was trying to relax Emmett, for you could see that his whole body was tense, but she wasn't having much luck. Alice had tried to distract me, but she soon gave up, curling into my side and wrapping her arms around my waist and just letting me hold her. I looked at the clock on the far wall again. It had been over five hours since we had left Edward with Bella. I knew that I should leave her to rest, but I was having a hard time staying in my seat. Several times I had gone to get up and check on them and Alice had pushed me back down.

"Maybe we should…" I tried again, but Alice and Rosalie glared at me and I shut up quickly.

"She's fine. There isn't a lot you can do now she's asleep." Alice reminded me.

"I'm not sure that leaving her with Edward was a good idea." I voiced.

"Why not? He's not going to hurt her. Heck, he was the one to calm her down more than the rest of us put together!"

"I know, it's just….its hard to trust anyone with her."

"Jazz, she's fine. You need to relax."

"Hard to do." I mumbled, but she heard anyway.

"Guys, will you just shut up?" said Emmett.

"Sorry Emmett."

"I think Jazz is right. I think that we should go and check on them." He said.

"Yeah, but you have the same problem as Jasper. Let her rest. I'm sure Edward will come and get you as soon as she wakes up or if there is a problem." Great, now Rosalie had joined the argument.

"Carlisle said to leave them alone. If you won't listen to us then at least listen to him." Said Alice.

"We won't wake her up! I just want to make sure that she is okay." Objected Emmett.

"Edward would be straight down here if there was a problem." Rose pointed out again.

"Just leave it." Alice said.

"For god's sake! I'm going up whether you like it or not!" Emmett pushed himself off the sofa and headed for the stairs. I quickly got up and followed him.

"Stop it you two! She is fine!" cried Alice from behind us.

We just ignored her and kept going. We had just got to the top of the stairs when Carlisle came out of his office, alerted by all the noise we were making. He stepped in front of us and put a hand on both of our shoulders.

"I know you're worried, but you need to leave her to rest. I wouldn't have left her alone with Edward if I dint believe that he would take care of her."

"Its not that we don't trust Edward, we just want to check on her" I said and went to duck out from under his hand. But he just stepped in my way again.

"I can't let you go in there while you're like this. If I go in and check on her will you calm down?" he asked. I looked at Emmett to see what he thought about this. He looked annoyed, but seemed to accept what Carlisle was saying.

"Fine, but if there's the slightest thing wrong then I'm going in, regardless." He threatened.

"You have my word." He let go of our shoulders and walked to the door where Bella was. We all followed him until he opened the door. Emmett tried to look around, but Carlisle shut the door before he could see anything. We waited for about two minuets before we heard footsteps coming towards the door. We all took a couple of steps back so Carlisle could get out. As soon as he stepped out the door you could tell he was uncomfortable about something.

"What is it?" I demanded. He shifted and forced himself to look at me and Emmett.

"Nothing. She's fine. Her pulse is steady and she isn't in any pain." That wasn't what I was getting at.

"If it's nothing then why do you look so uncomfortable?" asked Emmett, obviously he had seen what I had.

"Its nothing…you don't need to go in" he said as me and Emmett pushed past him, heading toward the door. We opened the door and looked at the bad and froze. I didn't know whether I should be happy or angry. Edward was lying next to Bella. She was curled up against his side, and he had his arm around her shoulders and his head resting in her head. They both looked a little too comfortable if you asked me, but then I would say that about any boy apart from Emmett and I. Emmett had a similar expression of conflict on his face. No wonder Carlisle had looked so uncomfortable. He had just walked in to find his son curled up with our sister. I decided that I would give Edward a chance to explain himself before I killed him. This wasn't necessarily his fault.

Even though my protective side was shouting at the top of its lungs at me, a small, logical part of me was saying that better it be Edward my sister decided to trust than any other boy. I think I may have been getting ahead of myself here though. Just because they were like this doesn't mean that they liked each other in that way.

Not being able to stand there anymore, I turned and left the room. Emmett followed me and closed the door behind him.

"Okay what's going on that we don't know about?" demanded Rosalie as soon as she saw our expressions.

"Um…" there wasn't really any way to say it.

"Fine, I'm going to find out myself." She said and marched past us, with Alice in toe. While they were in there Esme appeared.

"Have I missed something?" she asked Carlisle. He just jerked his head towards the door. Looking confused she entered the room. There wasn't a sound from the room. About a minuet later the three of them came out again.

"Well…" Esme tried.

"I don't know what to say to that. I don't know whether I want to strangle him or just let it happen." I said.

"Let what happen?" asked Emmett.

"Isn't it obvious?" asked Esme.

"Um, no? Can you tell me what I'm missing here?"

"Did you not look at their expressions? Did you not see how comfortable and content they looked together?" squealed Alice.

"Don't Alice. I don't know if this is a good thing or not."

"Oh come on. Is Edward not your best friend?" she demanded.

"Yes. That's exactly why."

"Look at it this way. You already know that you can trust him and he knows that if he ever hurt Bella then you two would kill him, best friend or not. And by the look on his face then it looks like it wont take him all that long to figure out his feeling for her." I knew that what she was saying was true, but I didn't particularly want to acknowledge it.

"There you go. There is no reason to worry unnecessarily. If anything happens, and he breaks her heart, then I think we will all be after his head." I looked around at everyone else to see their nods of agreement. Well, everyone apart from Emmett.

We eventually moved back to the living room, after they had argued with me and Emmett about not killing Edward as soon as he showed his face. Alice thought that we should watch a DVD to help keep our minds off it. We ended up watching some kind of action movie that I have forgotten the name of.

The movie had just finished when we heard footsteps on the stairs. A couple of moment later Edward appeared around the corner. When he saw everyone looking at him he started looking at the floor. He came and sat on one of the sofas with his mom and Dad.

"Bella's awake" was all he said.

"Does she need anything?" Carlisle was the first to beak the silence.

"Umm, she wants her laptop. She said to ask Emmett where it was" he looked at Emmett.

"I'll get it in a second. First you have to tell what the hell happened."

"Uh, well she had a nightmare..." he began.

"Not that! The bit with you and my sister!" Emmett half shouted. Edward looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

"I didn't do anything." He said almost immediately. If I wasn't as mad as Emmett it would have been funny.

"Yeah, I believe you." He rolled his eyes.

"Oh come on! You know that I would never try anything. And I would never hurt her!" he exclaimed, looking at me pleadingly.

"Well we thought that our own DAD would never hurt her and look what happened!" Emmett screamed at him. There was silence after that. Emmett was breathing heavily and the rest of us sat in a stunned silence. After a while we heard some movement upstairs. Crap! Bella was getting up. I think everyone else realized this at the same time because we all stood up and turned towards the stairs. Before anyone else could take a step Edward was at the bottom of the stairs.

"Bella you need to go back to bed." He said quietly.

"I need to speak to my brothers." Came her reply. Oh we were in for it. No one wants to be around when Bella get angry. She may look small but boy, can she scream.

"They can come up to you, now go." Wow, he was brave.

"But….!" She started to complain, before Edward cut her off.

"I said they will come up to you. You need to rest otherwise you will hurt yourself." Much to mine and everyone else surprise she did what he said. She turned around and started to slowly walk up the stairs slowly. Hang on what the hell just happened. No one has ever been able to tell Bella what to do. Well, me and Emmett never have been. So either Bella has turned soft, which is not possible, or she just really like Edward, and after the conversation we just had with him, I think the latter.

"I think that if you want her to stay in a good mood, you should go up there and talk to her" put in Edward, looking rather smug. Without comment both me and Emmett both got up and went to Bellas new room. When we stepped in we saw Bella sitting crossed legged on the bed. She had a calm look on her face, but not a look of that there is nothing wrong, more like a look of the calm before the storm.

"Do you mind telling me what your conversation was about?" she asked in a polite voice. Emmett was the one to answer.

"We are just trying to protect you. We did nothing wrong. And besides, it's not like anything is going to happen between you, so there is nothing to worry about." He finished if casually.

"For a start you have no right to judge. I know that you are just trying to protect me but there is nothing to worry about." She still had that weirdly calm voice on.

"That's right, because nothing is going to happen between you and nothing ever will." I watched as Bella's face changed expression. It went from deadly calm to livid in a matter of seconds. Oh god this was not good.

"Why not! Why do you get to have a relationship and not me! Is it because I'm damaged, because I drove mom away and will drive everyone else away?" she shouted at us. Emmett was just as stunned as I was. Is that what she really thought? That she drove mom away? I was just about to tell her that it wasn't her, when she screamed the one thing I never wanted to hear.

"Get out! I don't want to see you! Please just leave!" she threw herself down on the pillows and stayed silent after that.

"Bella?" I said cautiously, scared of another outburst. No answer. I sighed; there was no way that she was going to want to talk now.

"Come on Emmett, we should go" I tugged on his arm, but he just stood there with a shell shocked expression. I tugged a bit harder on his arm, making him stumble a little, and pulled him out the room. As soon as I shut the door he started stuttering.

"I didn't mean it like that…. I meant that… I just" he couldn't seem to get the words out.

"Just leave her for a bit." I said as I guided him down the stairs. After that he kept his mouth shut. We walked into the living room again, me still with my arm on Emmett's, and sat down again. I looked over at Edward to see that he was glaring daggers at both me and Emmett.

"What did you do? Why did you have to upset her?" he said looking at Emmett.

"She wanted to talk to us about what we said to you and…. I don't know what happened."

"What exactly did you say?" he demanded. Every one stayed silent, waiting for an answer. I decided to save Emmett from the sharks.

"Emmett said that nothing was ever going to happen between the two of you, and she demanded to know why. She thinks that she drove mom away and that she will drive everyone else away. But where did she get that idea from?"

"Have you forgotten what Charlie did to her? He abused her in every way, emotional as well. She has been told so many times that she drove her mom away that she has started to believe it. Please tell me that you told her it wasn't her fault?"

"I tried but she cut me off. She told us to get out and wouldn't listen to anything that we had to say."

"You really shouldn't have said what you said to her." He stated.

"We're her brothers, we have to protect her. Just because you like her doesn't mean that we want it to happen." Emmett spat at him. Emmett and Edward have been friends for a long time, and they have never fought.

"This isn't about that. You can say whatever you want to me but not her. You have to be careful. When you said nothing could happen and never would she took that as you saying that no one will ever want her in that way. Again Charlie has made her think that she is worthless. In her mind you just proved what she has been told so many times." Okay, I didn't think of it in that way, and I'm meant to be a doctor.

"Edward is right. I told you that it would take a long time for her to recover fully. You need to be careful of what you say to her." Carlisle put in. why didn't we think of this? I guess it makes sense though. I knew what Emmett was trying to say, but if I were in Bella's position, I would probably be thinking along those lines. If there is a God, then I have a question for you, why my sister?

Bella point of view.

I knew that I shouldn't have taken my anger out on my brothers, but I couldn't help it. When Emmett said that nothing was ever going to happen it brought back all of the things that Charlie had ever said to make me feel worthless. I don't know what to do anymore. I want to be on my own, but then again I don't, for fear that Charlie will come for me. It has been a couple of hours since Emmett and Jasper were here. I wish that I could speak to them, but I know they won't come to see me until I tell them it's okay, and I can't do that unless someone comes up to see me. I wish that Emmett and Jasper had never come home. Not that I didn't want to be rescued, but so they wouldn't be going through this pain. I would go through anything, as long as they weren't hurt. I know that sounds like something anyone would say, but they haven't been through what I've been through. No one should have to go through what I've been through, but the thing is, I deserve it. I know what I cost my mom, always asking for new things and bugging her, so no wonder I drove her away.

After a while I fell asleep. I hadn't moved in a couple of hours so my body hurt a little more than usual and I was stiff. It was dark in the room. Someone had been up here and turned my light off. I wish I could have spoken to them, and told Jasper and Emmett that I'm sorry.

"Stop scowling, if the wind changes you'll be stuck like that." Came a voice from the darkness. Edwards voice. It was coming from the right side of the room so he must be on the sofa. How he could see my facial expression in this light was beyond me, or how he could see anything.

"Are they mad at me?" he knew who I was asking about.

"No, more angry at themselves. They didn't understand before, but they do now." I heard him get up and then a few seconds later felt the mattress dip down under his weight. I reached over to the lamp next to me and the light clicked on. I could now see I tired looking Edward sitting next to me, looking straight into my eyes.

"Hey, what you still doing up? You should go to bed" I hesitantly reached my hand up, all the while watching his face to see how he would react, and traced the dark circles under his eyes. Normally I would never be this brave, or even think about doing something like this, but I cared about Edward, and I didn't want to mess up his health.

"I couldn't sleep. I needed to know that you were okay." He smiled at me.

"I'm fine, now you should go to sleep."

"I'll just sleep on the sofa." He started to get up.

"Edward, don't be ridicules. You can't sleep on the sofa. You need to sleep in a bed" I reached out with my good hand and grabbed his arm. He paused and turned to look at me.

"Bella, I can't leave you on your own, I'll worry" he sounded pained.

"Well at least… come here." He shuffled over to the other side of the bed and pulled the covers back. He just looked at me.

"In" I instructed. He did what I said, never saying a word. If I was being completely honest, I liked it when Edward slept beside me. It made me feel safe. This gave me the perfect excuse.

"Your brothers are going to kill me, you know?" he asked as he slid in next to me. We laid there for a minute, not speaking, just looking at each other.

"Sleep. I can't go anywhere anyway, so I'll be here when you wake up" I finally broke the silence. He complied, snuggling further into the pillows. He closed his eyes, and I swear that he was out a second later. He looked peaceful when he slept. Last night I fell asleep before he did, so I didn't get to see. All the worry and stress was gone from his face.

I looked at Edward for a long time, listening to his slow, steady breaths and watching the way his chest rose and fell. My eyelids started to feel heavy, and I gave in. for the first time in so many years I let myself let my guard down and just relax.

When I woke up again I wasn't in the same position that I had been before. There were a set of strong arms around my waist and my head was on someone's chest. My first instinct was to panic and get as far away as possible, but then I recognized who was holding me. Either me or Edward, maybe both, had moved in our sleep and now we were curled up together in the middle of the bed. I didn't have to worry about my brothers coming in this time. I'm sure they know that Edward was up here, and they won't come up and see me until I give the okay. As soon as Edward woke up I will tell him to let my brothers know that I wasn't mad at them and they could come and see me. I still felt bad about shouting at Emmett. He may look big and strong on the outside, but he is a teddy bear on the inside. And it was easy to hurt his feelings. I know that he would never say anything to me, but I knew I had hurt him. I needed to apologize. I also needed to spend some more time with them. They had come down for a short break and there whole world had been turned upside down. I knew that they would never allow me to do much, but even just watching a movie together would be nice. It had been so long since we had just done something with just the three of us. We used to go out into the woods and light a fire. I used to take my guitar with me and Jasper and Emmett would take a big bag of marshmallows with them to eat. We would spend hours just sitting there, joking around and talking. Sometimes we wouldn't get back until five in the morning, and then mom would always wonder why we were so tired and have to drag us out of bed before we were late for school. School was a lot better when I had my brothers there with me. We didn't hang around each other all the time, but they made sure that I was never alone. And they always made sure that I got no hassle form the other kids. Their friends also made sure of that, I was sort of a little sister to Emmett and Jaspers friends. They knew that if I was in trouble and they were around that they better help me or they would have hell to pay later. I tried to tell them not to worry but they always said that they didn't mind. You would think that I would find them annoying, but they were like family really. They helped my brothers with the pranks I was too chicken to join in with. Most of them they got caught, but damn if they weren't funny to watch.

I think the reason why I don't have many friends is because I was more of a tom-boy than anything. I never had the urge to play dress up or wear makeup. I spent my childhood running in the wood and having mud fights. Not that I would change any of it, but most of the girls would never dream of doing anything that could end with a broken nail. I don't even know where I could get a fake nail; let alone how to wear them.

But the one thing that my brothers didn't share with me was my love and passion for music. They know how much I love to play, and they respect what I do play, but they don't understand why I do it. I don't either. There are so many reasons why I do it that there is no way to summarize it in one answer. They never made fun of me for it, not once, even when I couldn't play an instrument without making them wince, they never said a word. And because of that whenever I composed a new piece I would go to them first, to ask their opinion. I only play for the people that I feel I can trust.

But there is one thing that my brothers don't know about my music. They know all the instruments that I play apart from one, and only my mom knows. And she swore that she would never tell anyone. When I was thirteen I started to learn how to play the harp. I got pretty good at it too. The only reason that I didn't go further with it is because when I asked my mom if we could buy one she said that she couldn't afford it. I don't blame her, a decent one cost a lot of money. I do miss playing it though. It is one of the most beautiful instruments.

The next six weeks are going to be hard, not be able to play. I might be able to get Edward to bring my laptop up. I could edit some of the music on there, but it wasn't the same as producing it with your own hands. And I couldn't even sing. It hurt just to talk, and my voice sounded horrible just doing that.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice when Edward started to stir. When I felt his arms tighten around me I looked at him in time to see his eyes flutter, then reveal his beautiful green eyes. They looked at me in confusion first, and then recognition settled in.

"Hey. How long have you been up?" his voice was still thick with sleep.

"Not long, I just woke…." I trailed off. I was looking at his huge bed hair. It was sticking up in every angle, apart from the side he had been sleeping on, which was completely flat. I started giggling, which made him look at me as though he was questioning my sanity, which made me laugh even harder. I was doubled over in laughter at this point, gasping for air. A small part of my brain registered the pain that was building in my chest, but I didn't concentrate on that bit. Another part of my brain wondered what was so damn funny, and by the look on his face, so did Edward. The reason why I was laughing so hard is because I hadn't laughed this hard in a long time, and my body just didn't seem to want to stop.

"Um, Bella... I think that's enough now" he put his hands on my shoulders in an attempt to try and stop my laughing, but it just made me laugh harder. His hair looked like someone had blow dried it and then stuck hair gel in it while it was still standing. Again my mind told me to stop laughing because he was starting to look really worried.

I hadn't heard them come in, but apparently my outburst had attracted a crowd. Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, Carlisle and Esme were all looking at me with a mixture of concern, amusement and confusion. Carlisle came over to my side of the bed and pushed me backwards so that I fell back onto the pillows. Okay, the small part of my brain that was registering the pain in my chest was starting to get bigger. I looked away from Edward and started taking deep breaths, and slowly I stopped laughing. One more giggle escaped my lips, but then I stopped completely.

"Better?" Carlisle asked with both eyebrows raised.

"Yeah, I think. Sorry about that." I could feel my cheeks start to warm a little.

"May we ask what was so amusing?" I looked around to see everyone looking at me, waiting for my answer.

"I…" there was no way to really answer that question. I lifted my hand and pointed to the top of Edwards head. The attention shifted from me to Edward almost at once. There was silence for a minute until everyone started laughing, maybe not quite as hard as I did, but they were still laughing. Edward looked even more confused. Alice, noticing this, got a compact mirror out of her pocket and gave it to Edward. He gave her a questioning look, but opened it and angled it so he could see what we could. As soon as he saw he grinned and tried to flatten in a little, with no visible results.

"This isn't going to work. I'm going to have to shower to get it to behave." He sighed. He dropped his hand in defeat and huffed. That made a small giggle escape my lips. He turned to look at me.

"You could have told me. I look like one of the JEDWRAD twins." He glared playfully at me.

"No way. I'm just sorry that I don't have a camera on me" I told him.

"I will so get you back for this" he told me. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

"Just going to grab a shower. Be back in half hour." He promised me before he grabbed some clothes and left. Everyone else apart from Carlisle went to leave.

"Em…Jazz, can you stay? Please?" I begged them. They stopped just before they were out the door and turned back, closing it behind them.

"What's up?" they asked as they came and sat where Edward had just been.

"Hang on. Before you start talking I need to check her injuries." Carlisle interrupted us just as I was about to speak.

"Sure, go ahead." I told him. He lifted up my shirt and started to gently probe at my ribs and stomach. I tried not to wince, but I think I did once.

"Are you okay?" Carlisle asked as checked the bandage round my ribs.

"Yeah. Just hurts a little." I laughed nervously. That was a lie. It hurt a lot, and if he wasn't here I would be shouting curse words at the top of my lungs. But I didn't want to show pain, because it showed weakness. I knew I didn't have to worry about that here, but old habits are hard to shake.

"I'll get you some more pain meds. Your ribs seem to be healing, even if it is only just a little bit. You should be fine." He told me as he pulled my shirt back down. I looked at my brothers to see that they both had sick expressions on their faces.

"You can go if you want." I told them quietly. They both looked at me and shook their heads.

"No, where fine Bells." Jasper told me.

"They need to stay anyway. We need to discuss a few things, and they need to be here to help make the decision."

"Need to discuss what?" Emmett asked. So they didn't know what was going on either.

"We need to decide what happens now." Carlisle said.

"What do you mean 'what happens now'? She stays here. Never goes near that sorry excuse for a man ever again. That's what's going to happen." Emmett said. Jasper just nodded his head. Whether agreeing with Emmett or urging Carlisle to continue I didn't know.

"That's not what I meant. Though I can't guarantee that she won't ever see Charlie again." Carlisle said in a solemn voice.

"Hang on, what?" Emmett looked like he had been punched in the face.

"Just, stay calm okay? You won't like what you hear, but we need to be realistic. Charlie is her legal guardian. If he wants to get Bella back then he has the forms to do it. If he chose do it then we can't stop him and if we tried then we will get arrested." He was talking to my brothers more than me, but I was too panicked to say anything anyway.

"But he might not come for her. Now we know, we could get him arrested for abuse. He might stay away in the hopes that we keep our mouths shut" Emmett said.

"More likely than not he will come for her. We can hope for what you said, but Charlie knows that you will never let him get away with what he did."

"Damn straight he won't. We should just call the cops now then. Get him arrested before he has the chance to come and get her. We have all the evidence we need. We have eye witnesses."

"If I know anything about your father is that he is a smart man. He will already be trying to get hold of the papers to take her away. The problem is, is that Bella is in not state to give a statement. And the stress will just make her condition worse. We could call the police, but whether anyone will believe us is questionable. And if we call and Charlie picks up the phone we are in trouble." Could this get any more confusing?

"There has to be a way. Yes if we called and Charlie picked up it would be bad. Really bad. But if he doesn't then they have to respond to the call. No matter if Charlie is the chief of police or not." Emmett argued back. Jasper finally spoke up.

"We need to call the police. But the strain will make her worse. And I'm not sure that she can handle all the questioning. Yes we have enough evidence for a strong case, but there is also the fact that he is a cop."

"Can I ask how you have evidence?" I knew the answer, but I was too panicked to really think straight.

"When you first got here we took photos of all your injuries." Carlisle answered me and then carried on. "Whatever we do we can't let Charlie get her. I have a strong feeling that he'll kill her if he does." As he said this all the colour drained out of Emmett and Jaspers faces.

"How long do you think we have until Charlie gets hold of the documents he needs?" Jasper asked Emmett.

"He'll probably have them by tomorrow. We need to make a decision as to what to do tonight." He answered.

"I'll inform everyone else of our options and then we'll make a choice." Carlisle said.

"can I talk to my brothers please?" I asked him quietly. He nodded and left the room. I looked at Em and Jazz. Their faces were tight with worry and panic. I hated what this was doing to them. As much as they deny it, I know what Charlie has done will have hurt them. They always used to look up to Charlie; he was their dad after all. I once asked Emmett why he wanted to be a police man and he said because dad did it and he wanted to be like dad. I asked Jasper why he wanted to be a doctor and he said so he can help people, just like dad did. They used to think of him as a hero. They looked up to him, and now everything they used to believe in him has been torn apart. I knew my brothers were strong, but they didn't deserve this pain, and they weren't ready to handle it. They had always protected me, and I just wanted to protect them for once.

"I'm sorry for what I did before. I shouldn't have yelled at you. Can you forgive me?" I asked.

"Of course Bella. There was nothing to forgive. But you should know that you didn't drive mom away. I know Charlie has been telling you that you did, but he is so wrong. He drove her away Bella. She left because he was violent and she couldn't stand it anymore." Jasper told me. I knew to them what I said was stupid, but I was part of the reason she left. I asked too much of her, and I was the reason that Charlie hurt her.

"I know you won't believe us, but it's the truth. Don't let him put lies in your head." Emmett told me.

"I... okay. As long as you stop blaming yourselves for what happened. I know you do, but none of it was your fault. You couldn't have known."

"Bella, we should have known. We should never have left you alone with him. We knew what he was like before we left, yet we turned a blind eye." Jasper said to me, looking me straight on the eye.

"If you had taken me with you it would have made your life way too complicated. It would have messed up both of your studies and I would have had to switch schools. Also Charlie would never have allowed it. There was nothing be done. Please accept that" I begged. They didn't answer. I sighed. It would take much more than this to get them to see that it wasn't their fault, but it was frustrating none the less.

"So have you decided to lay off Edward now?" I changed the subject.

"Jury's still out on that one. Depends on how well he behaves." Emmett smiled.

"You know this is all completely ridicules? As you said yesterday nothing is going to happen. We have barely known each other two days, and not under the best circumstance either. I think that you two are jumping a little far ahead with this." They both looked at each other and shrugged. Either they had given up and decided to just go with it, or they weren't telling me something. I would rather that it not be the latter.

"So what you guys doing today?" I asked casually.

"Nothing, I think. We're not leaving the house, so there's not a lot that we can do." Emmett shrugged.

"Want to hang out?"

"I thought you wanted to hang out with Edward." Jasper said.

"I do. But we can still hang out. There's a lot of hours in the day you know." I pointed out.

"And you're meant to be resting in those hours." Jasper argued.

"I've slept for a long time. I can't sleep anymore. Come on Jazz; let me spend time with you and Em. This strip is messed up enough as it is, at least let me have this."

"We have all the time in the world to hang out Bells." Jasper said. I didn't say anything. Truth was that I knew that our time was limited. Even if Charlie didn't come and get me, I knew that we wouldn't be able to hang out again for a very long time. There would be the court case, and then the matter of where I was going to stay. I don't think the state would let me stay with my brothers. I was under eighteen. They would send me to a foster home. And that all hung on whether Charlie could get hold of the right documents before we called the cops. If Charlie got hold of me, I knew that I wasn't going to ever see Emmett or Jasper again. If he took me away, it was game over. Either Charlie would kill me or I would do it myself. I wasn't going to through that again. I knew that everyone here thought I was brave and strong, but I wasn't. I wasn't strong enough to stand up for myself. I let him do what he did to me, and coward back in a corner hoping that he would get bored.

Jasper and Emmett seemed to see what I was thinking on my face, and went to protest. Before they could there was a knock on the door and Carlisle cam in carrying a bottle of what I suppose was medicine. I was glad that he had interrupted. I knew what my brothers were going to say, and I didn't want to hear it.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Bella really needs some pain meds." He told Emmett and Jasper as he came to my side of the bed and poured out the right amount of liquid into a small plastic cup. I took it from him without comment. It tasted foul, but I stopped the frown forming on my face. He then picked up my glass of water and handed me two plain white pills. I took them and through my head back and swallowed them without the water. I then took the water to rid my mouth of the foul taste.

"Thanks. How long will they take to kick in?" I said as I sat back against the pillows.

"Not long, about twenty minutes or so." He placed my glass back on the bedside table and stood up

"If you need anything just yell, I'm right down the hall." He left the room after that.

I looked at the clock on the far wall. It had been twenty minutes since Edward left to have his shower. I didn't hear any running water anymore.

As much as I would like to hang out with both my brothers and Edward, I don't think that it. Even though Edward had been friends with them for about two years now, I think that it would be really awkward. I don't know why, but it probably would be.

"So, are you sure you don't want to hang out with me and Edward?"

"We're sure. But we will hang out tomorrow. We promise." Jasper said. I sighed. I wish that everything wasn't so complicated and that I could have a normal summer break. But of course, nothing goes the way I want it.

"Okay then. Will you come back later?"

"Of course." They both said as the door opened to reveal a freshly showered Edward. He hadn't bothered to dry his hair. He was dressed in grey sweats and a black shirt. I think I may have let a bit of drool escape my mouth. He looked nearly edible.

"Hey, so is my hair better now? No more rolling around in laughter." He was pointing to his head as he said this. I didn't give him an answer. I was too busy ogling him. Did he not know how good looking he was. Didn't he?

"Earth to Bella, earth to Bella. Is there anyone in there?" Emmett was speaking into his right hand, pretending to use an intercom, while his other hand lightly knocked on my head. I ducked my head and blushed.

"yeah, I'm here Emmett. You can stop trying to put a divot in my skull" I pushed his hand away, glaring playfully. He just laughed and stood, Jasper doing the same.

"well, that's our cue to leave. We'll come back later on." he bent down and kissed my forehead before turning and leaving. Jasper ruffled my hair before following him out and closing the door.

Now it was just me and Edward. Alone.

"so what you want to do?" he asked me.

"I don't know. There's not a lot that I can do, is there?" I answered. Maybe a little harshly.

"fair point. I'm sure that we can find something to entertain ourselves. Is there any movies that you want to watch?"

"not really. I'm not in the mood for watching anything. Do you think Carlisle would allow me to use my laptop?" I asked hesitantly.

"I don't see why not. Hang on, I'll go and ask." he got up again and left the room, not shutting the door behind him.

After a few minutes Rose came through the door and sat where Edward had previously been.

"hey, I would have come and seen you earlier but Carlisle said to stay away and let you rest." she told me.

"that's alright. Its really getting annoying how everyone treats me like I'm made of glass." I frowned. Everyone was being careful about what they did and said around me.

"they're just trying to help. They don't want to upset you" she tried to reason.

"I know. You know when you see someone in a wheel chair and you talk to them in this really soft voice and you look at them with pity? Its happening to me. I just want to be treated how I normally would." Rosalie gasped when I said this.

I then realized my mistake. Being beaten was how I used to be treated.

"not in that way! God no, just not like I'll break if you say the wrong thing around me. To be treated as an equal, that's what I meant"

"oh, well. I'm sure that it wont be so bad in a couple of days. As I said, they're trying to take care of you. After everything you've been through can you blame them?"

"I suppose not." I sighed. She smiled at me in sympathy and patted my hand.

"I'm glad that your alright. I don't know what Emmett would have done if he had lost you. You mean more to both of them than you know." she said as she got up.

"I know. I'm sorry that this has hurt them. That was never my intention."

"this isn't your fault. None of this is your fault. I used to think the same as you, but Emmett showed me that I was wrong."

" I don't understand. Thought what was your fault?" I asked in confusion. She sighed and sat down again.

"no ones told you. I'm not surprised. About three years ago I was raped." she told me. I gasped. Who would do such a thing? Why?

"my boyfriend, Royce, got drunk one night and it got out of hand. I left him after that. At first I thought what happened was my fault. I didn't go near any men for a long time after that. I found it hard to trust anyone. When I met your brother he soon showed me that it wasn't me that had caused what happened. What I'm trying to say is that it will take time. You cant rush this. Yes people will treat you differently, but it wont last forever. don't let him win, don't let it get to you." she stood up again.

"I'll … try." was all I could manage to say. I was still in shock. Looking at her now, you would never guess that something so horrible had happened to her. But I suppose that's what she was trying to say. don't let it get to you. don't let it ruin you.

She didn't say anything more, just left the room quietly. When she had walked out the door I could hear her talking to someone. When the voices had stopped Edward walked through the door carrying my laptop case. He set it down beside the bed and took my hand in both of mine.

"are alright?" he asked quietly.

"I think so. Its just a lot to take in. who would do something like that to her?" I asked.

"I sick person. Someone who has no right to be loved." he answered.

"I will agree to that." we sat in silence for a little while, not knowing what to say.

After a while I decided to break it. I didn't want to think about it anymore.

"so Carlisle let me have it?" he jumped a little at the sound of my voice.

"yeah. I don't think he's happy about it though. He wants you to rest. But he couldn't come up with a reason for you not to be allowed to have it." he smirked.

"I cant rest anymore. If I do then I wont be able to sleep tonight and then no one will be happy. I've been sitting in bed for the whole day, he cant ask for much more than that surely?"

"I know, and he knows that. that's why he allowed you to have your laptop."

" I need something to do. My minds to creative to be doing nothing."

"oh so true. If I was you I would have gone mad by now"

"I'm getting there. How long till I can play again?" I asked. I didn't really need reminding, I already knew.

"six weeks at the least I'm afraid. If you try to play before then you'll just have to waqit longer."

"ugh, I hate this already."

"how many instruments do you play again?" he asked.

" I play piano, flute, base, violin, drums and guitar. I also sing and do loads of music tech."

"wow. How do you keep in practice?"

"am I right in saying that you play as well?" I asked. He nodded. "well will you ever forget how to play?" he shook his head. "well then. I could never forget how to play. Its like riding a bike"

" how long did it take you to learn all of it?"

"a long time. Some times I thought about just giving up. But I couldn't. no matter how hard it was to learn I loved every bit of the struggle." I smiled.

"which one was the hardest to learn?" did he ever stop asking questions?

"the har…I mean the violin." I caught myself.

"what were you going to say?" he cocked his head to one side.

"I… it doesn't matter. Forget I said anything" I blushed. I couldn't tell him. i just couldn't.

"okay then." he didnt seem to believe me, but he wasnt going to push it. And for that i was grateful.

"so what do you play?" i had forgotten whether he told me or not.

"i play the piano, and i know a little guitar, but thats all i know. I didnt have time to learn anything else.

"i had a lot of free time, what can i say?" i laughed.

"I hope you dont mind me asking, but how did Charlie not get his hands on all of it?" he shifted nervously while he said this, and he wouldnt look me in the eye.

"i didnt play for a long time. for about two years i kept all of it hidden. i pushed it under my bed or under the floor boards, and kept all of the cases locked. I didnt mind losing it as long as i could go back to it one day. music was the only thing that kept me sane for a long time, so i couldnt put it at risk." i sighed, thinking of how many nights i spent after Charlie had beaten me wishing that i could have my music back, if only for a second. Wishing for something to tell me that there was hope for me, even if there wasnt.

"is that why when we were leaving you wanted Emmett to get all of them out?"

"yes. I think Charlie thought that i had gotten rid of them or something like that anyway. when he saw the guitar he knew that i still had instruments in the house. If i had left them there he would have destroyed them, i couldnt let that happen.i have to many memories with them."

"i can understand. i love my music. if i'm not playing it i'm listening to it. it was anoying to have to go to the college to be able to play. i tried to avoid going there most of the time unless it was for my classes."

"why? i thought that most kids loved college."

"i do love college, but i dont like some of the people in it. most people there fluck off. And people sort of form packs, so if you fall out with on person, your in for a lot of trouble." he was shifting again.

"did you get in trouble?" i cocked my head to the side, curious. Edward did struck me as the type that would get himself in trouble. he seemed to be more of a behind the scenes kind of guy.

"sort of." he sighed when he realised that i wanted to here why he got in trouble. " i dated a girl for a little while. a popular girl at that. she always had a least three of her friends round her at all times unless she ordered them away. when i say ordered, i mean ordered. she was their leader. we dated for a few weeks, but there was nothing there. i didnt feel like i wanted to see her anymore. i knwo that sounds horrible, but i was staying more out of kidness than attraction.
After a little while i told her that i didnt want to do it anymor eand that it wasnt working out. she said that i had one chance to take that back or i would regret it. I didnt take it back. the next day i walk into to class to find a group of her friendswaiting for me. i dont think they wanted to talk.
i didnt find out what they wanted though, because i was only there to pick up a sheet of music and then leave. Jasper and Emmett had the day free as well so they said they would go with me to pick it up so we could leave together. Emmett was well known not to be messed with. he had got in enough fights with guys just because they looked at Rose. And Jasper may not have the reputation that Em did, but he could still pack a punch. the guys didnt come any where near me.
Nor have they since. Once they found out that i was best friends wiht your brothers no one bothered me"

"Are you telling me that my brothers got into fights?" i hissed. why did they always have to get into trouble?

"um, if i say no are you going to believe me?" he gulped. when i didnt respond he started to laugh nervously. i sucked in a deep breath and counted to ten. then i sucked in another breath.

"EMMETT AND JASPER SWAN! GET YOUR BUTS UP HERE NOW!" I screamed. i heard a thump from down stairs and then lots of feet coming up the stairs. i guess everyone had come to see what was happening.
not ten seconds later everyone burst through the door. my brothers came straight to my side.

"whats wrong Bella? are you hurt?" they asked franticly. they stopped when they saw my deadly expression. they slowly started to back away, but i wasnt letting them go that easily.

" what is this i hear about you getting into fight in college?" i asked in a voice much like Charlie used to use. i winced when i thought of that.

"um... we didnt get into that many fights. just one or two" Emmett said, but he wasnt even looking at me. he was a cop, i trhought he was meant to be able to lie?

"edward, how many fights have they gotten in?" i asked turning to him. he looked like a dear caught in the headlights of a car. wait, lets make that a monster truck.

"i dont know... one or two..." he trailed off.

"Rose?" i asked without looking away from Edward. me and him were going to have words later.
where Edward looked terrified, Rosalie looked like she was finding this incredibly funny.

"ten, and thats just the ones that i've seen. from what i've heard, there have been a lot more." she snickered when Emmett and Jasper turned to glare at her.

"You. Two. Are. In. So. Much. Trouble. once i've calmed down you are going to come back up here and you wont be leaving until you swear to never have a STUPID fight again. is thatg clear?" they nodded there heads. i made a motion with my hand to tell them that they could leave. they didnt need to be told twice. Emmett and Jasper ran from the room while the rest followed normally behind. only Edward stayed.

"i'm going to give you fair warning. i wont have a go at you, since you didnt know. but you should know that my brothers may have a macho reputation away from home, but while they are home they answer to me and i can make them very afraid. its best if you just tell the truth and dont side with them.
oh, and if they try anything, because you told me about the fights, then just tell me and i'll deal with them."

"okay, note to self, dont ever piss Bella off if you want to have all your limbs still atatched by the end of it."he laughed, some what nervously.